OHCHR’s approach to field work

Background As of the end of 2014, OHCHR was running or supporting 66 field presences and providing support to other members of the UN family through rapid Supporting the work of human rights field presences deployments. The Human Rights Advisers to United is one of the main functions of OHCHR’s Field Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) in Ecuador, Operations and Technical Cooperation Division Maldives and Niger were discontinued during 2014 (FOTCD). The Division, in cooperation with other and the field presences in Kosovo1 and Togo are parts of the Office, oversees activities relating to field expected to be closed in 2015. The peace mission operations, including advisory services and technical in Burundi completed its Security Council mandate cooperation. and closed down on 31 December 2014. OHCHR intends to open a stand-alone office in Burundi at OHCHR’s country-level activities are based on the request of the local government. dialogue with national counterparts and focus on the promotion and protection of human rights. To this end, OHCHR works to strengthen national protection systems and supports the implementation Types of field presences of effective remedies to overcome obstacles to the realization of human rights. In particular, OHCHR participates in efforts to establish or strengthen OHCHR maintains two types of field presences: justice and accountability mechanisms at the national stand-alone presences and collaborative level, including through effective monitoring and arrangements. The first category is composed of investigation to ensure the provision of redress for country and regional offices which are under the victims of human rights violations. Equally, when direct supervision of OHCHR. The second category OHCHR is required to respond to deteriorating consists of field presences with double reporting human rights situations, the Office ensures the rapid deployment of monitoring missions or extends 1 Reference to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance additional surge capacity to lend human rights with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and assistance to UN operations on the ground. without prejudice to the status of Kosovo. UN Photo/Albert González Farran

© A group of women in the Kalma IDP camp, South Darfur.

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lines, namely human rights components of peace Ababa), Southern Africa (Pretoria), West Africa or political missions who report to the Head of (Dakar), South-East Asia (Bangkok), the Pacific the mission and the High Commissioner and (Suva), the Middle East (Beirut), North Africa human rights advisers who report to the Resident (Beirut), Central Asia (Bishkek), Europe (Brussels), Coordinator and the High Commissioner. Central America (Panama City) and South America (Santiago de Chile), a subregional centre for human rights and democracy for Central Africa (Yaoundé) Country and Stand-alone Offices and a Training and Documentation Centre for South- West Asia and the Arab Region (Doha). OHCHR country and stand-alone offices are established on the basis of a standard agreement between OHCHR and a host government. A mandate Human Rights Components of United typically includes human rights monitoring, Nations Peacekeeping Operations and protection, technical cooperation activities and Special Political Missions public reporting and is tailored to a specific country situation. These offices are primarily funded through In 2014, as part of its responsibilities to support voluntary contributions. human rights integration in United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political OHCHR has 13 country or stand-alone offices which missions, OHCHR collaborated with the Department are comprised of 12 country offices in Bolivia, of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Cambodia, Colombia, Guatemala, Guinea, Mauritania, Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the Mexico, the State of Palestine2, Togo, Tunisia, Department of Field Support (DFS) to work on Uganda and Yemen and one stand-alone office in the mandate reviews, assessments of strategic Kosovo. priorities and mission restructuring exercises of a number of missions. OHCHR also contributed to the conceptualization, planning and staffing of the Regional Offices and Centres human rights component of the new peace mission in the Central African Republic and continued to Regional offices are similarly established on the support the strengthening of the UN’s human rights basis of an agreement with a host government and capacity to implement peace mission mandates. in consultation with other countries in the region. These offices focus on cross-cutting regional human OHCHR invested significant efforts regarding the rights issues and support governments in their crisis in the Central African Republic and to the engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms, transition from a special political mission to a including the human rights treaty bodies, the special full-fledged peacekeeping operation while also procedures and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). deploying human rights protection and monitoring The capacities of the regional offices have been capacity during the start-up phase of the operation. strengthened in order to support efforts undertaken OHCHR advised on the drafting of the mandate to engage and work with these mechanisms, to ensure that protection of human rights was at particularly the treaty monitoring bodies. the core of the priorities of the United Nations The regional offices work closely with regional and Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in subregional intergovernmental organizations and the Central African Republic. It also worked jointly civil society. They also complement the expertise with DPKO and DFS to plan the operationalization of OHCHR country offices by providing support of the mandate and supported the development of on institutional and thematic issues. In addition to the mission strategy on the protection of civilians. the regional offices, OHCHR has regional centres OHCHR participated in the mission reconfiguration that are established in accordance with a General for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Assembly resolution and imbued with a specific Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandate. Regional offices and centres are funded by (MONUSCO) and in the closure of the United the UN regular budget and voluntary contributions. Nations Office in Burundi. Moreover, OHCHR engaged in the DFS-led civilian staffing reviews OHCHR has 13 regional presences which are exercise mandated by Member States for the human comprised of 11 regional offices in East Africa (Addis rights components of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, MONUSCO and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and 2 Reference to the State of Palestine should be understood in compliance with United Nations General Assembly resolution provided assistance with the mandate reviews for 67/19. MINUSTAH, the United Nations Multidimensional

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Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), funded through a multi-donor trust fund established MONUSCO, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid under the UNDG’s Human Rights Working Group, Operation in Darfur and the United Nations Interim chaired by OHCHR, to support the implementation Security Force for Abyei. of the 2012 UNDG strategy for the deployment of new human rights advisers. OHCHR contributed to briefings on South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) As of 31 December 2014, OHCHR had deployed for Security Council Members of the Informal Expert 26 human rights advisers in Bangladesh3, Chad, Group on Protection of Civilians and provided Dominican Republic3, Honduras, Jamaica3, Kenya, advice on the development or revision of protection Madagascar, Malawi3, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, of civilian strategies and operations to the United Paraguay, the Philippines3, Republic of Moldova, Nations Mission in Liberia, the United Nations Russian Federation, Rwanda, Serbia, Sierra Leone3, Support Mission in Libya, MINUSMA and the United the Southern Caucasus (based in Tbilisi and Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan. covering Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia), Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania3, Timor-Leste3, the In the course of 2014, 14 UN peace missions former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine maintained a human rights component and and Zambia3 as well as for UNDG regional teams incorporated human rights promotion and protection in Bangkok3 and Panama3. The posts of Human into their mandated work, namely Afghanistan, Rights Adviser in Ecuador, Maldives3 and Niger were Burundi, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, discontinued during 2014. DRC, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan (Darfur). The peace mission in Burundi completed its Security Council mandate and was discontinued on 31 December. Engagement in Humanitarian Action

Human Rights Advisers in United Nations The Office sustained strong engagement in Country Teams humanitarian action at the global and field level. This ensured that the protection of human rights was Human rights advisers are deployed at the request maintained as a central tenet of humanitarian action of Resident Coordinators on behalf of the United in line with the UN’s Human Rights Up Front Action Nations Country Teams or at the request of Regional Plan and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Teams of the United Nations Development Group (IASC) Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian (UNDG). Advisers assist the Resident Coordinators, Action agenda. Heads of UN agencies and members of UNCTs to integrate and implement human rights through their To this end, OHCHR engaged with relevant policy, programming strategies and their implementation strategy, decision-making and operational fora, and help build and strengthen national human rights particularly at the global level, through consistent capacities. Other functions include advising and dialogue with and contribution to the IASC providing training to independent national human Principals, Working Group and Emergency Directors rights institutions and other stakeholders; advising Group, as well as with Humanitarian Coordinators, State actors on the promotion and protection of Humanitarian Country Teams and Protection Clusters human rights and other UN norms and standards; at the field level. Furthermore, OHCHR placed building networks with and providing practical 26 human rights officers at the disposal of the Inter- support to civil society actors; providing operational Agency Rapid Response Mechanism to strengthen the support to human rights training and/or national system’s operational protection capacity to respond capacity-building activities; promoting engagement to major crises. With InterAction, OHCHR maintained with the international human rights mechanisms; and its co-chair role of the Global Protection Cluster Task advising on integrating human rights in humanitarian Team responsible for facilitating implementation of response and post-crisis recovery processes as the IASC Protection Priority, thereby contributing applicable. to the roll out of an independent whole-of-system review of protection in humanitarian crises. A key Human rights advisers are funded through element of the implementation of the OHCHR extrabudgetary contributions. In some past instances, strategy on engagement in this field included the cost-sharing agreements were concluded with training of 24 additional staff members on OHCHR’s UNDP or relevant UNCTs and other UN entities at the country level. In 2014, new deployments were 3 Deployed through the UNDG Human Rights Working Group.

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role in humanitarian preparedness and response support of OHCHR’s lead role of the protection efforts. A lessons-learned exercise was also initiated sector; and Lebanon in support of OHCHR’s to review and build on OHCHR’s engagement in the protection engagement relevant to the crisis in the Philippines in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Syrian Arab Republic. In addition to maintaining Haiyan. its Protection Cluster lead role in Haiti, Palestine, and the Pacific (as co-lead with UNHCR), OHCHR The Office’s rapid and surge deployments in maintained leadership of two regional Protection the context of humanitarian action increased Clusters in the Philippines in the aftermath of exponentially in 2014, including through missions Typhoon Haiyan and in Liberia in the context of the dispatched to: the Philippines following Typhoon Ebola crisis. In 2014, OHCHR accessed humanitarian Haiyan; Rakhine State in Myanmar; the Central pooled funds (i.e., the Central Emergency Response African Republic in the context of the declaration Fund and the Emergency Response Fund) for of the Level 3 crisis; Gaza following the upsurge of engagement in Mauritania, Myanmar, Ukraine conflict in July; Ukraine in support of OHCHR’s role and Yemen; and obtained funding from bilateral as co-chair of the protection sector and its broader sources for its engagement in humanitarian action in engagement in humanitarian efforts; Mauritania in Palestine and Syria.

144 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR in the field: Africa

Type of presence Location In 2014, Africa saw continued political and social Country offices OO Guinea change, coupled with steady economic growth in OO Togo*** many parts of the continent. The African Union OO Uganda (AU) continued to play an active role most notably Regional offices and OO Central Africa (Yaoundé, Cameroon) centres OO East Africa (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) in peacekeeping in the Central African Republic, OO Southern Africa (Pretoria, South Africa) Darfur and Somalia. Africa also faced numerous OO West Africa (Dakar, Senegal) challenges in 2014, including the Ebola outbreak Human rights OO Burundi (BNUB)* components in OO Central African Republic (MINUSCA) which dominated regional and international attention UN Peace Missions OO Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and necessitated immediate response. In addition to OO Democratic Republic of the Congo the death and human suffering caused, the outbreak (MONUSCO) OO Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) severely disrupted key economic sectors and OO Liberia (UNMIL) significantly slowed economic growth in Guinea, OO Mali (MINUSMA) OO Somalia (UNSOM) Liberia and Sierra Leone. OO South Sudan (UNMISS) OO Sudan (UNAMID) Some countries continued their transition towards Human rights advisers OO Chad democracy, post-conflict reconciliation and State in United Nations OO Kenya Country Teams OO Madagascar reconstruction. These processes were at times marked OO Malawi** by serious violations of human rights and violence, OO Niger* OO Nigeria** including against women in the context of persistent OO Rwanda or emerging armed conflicts, for instance in the OO Sierra Leone** OO Tanzania** Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of OO Zambia** the Congo (DRC), Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. * Closed in 2014 Certain countries in the region also attempted to ** Human Rights Adviser deployed through the UNDG Human Rights Working Group *** Will close in 2015

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change and revise national constitutions with the aim OHCHR deployed human rights officers to of preventing democratic political change. contribute to the establishment of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission The region also saw an emergence or intensification in Mali and is working to reinforce the role of of local/national conflicts over natural resources, the human rights component based in the Central including in relation to the extractive industries as African Republic to help respond to the crisis. well as land disputes. In some parts of the continent, OHCHR also contributed to the design of the United there was increased concern regarding acts of Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. In 2014, the terrorism, piracy and criminality which often had a Security Council created the commissions of inquiry regional and transnational impact. Economic, social on the Central African Republic and Eritrea, which and human rights factors contributed to increased are supported by OHCHR. Furthermore, OHCHR migration and a growing number of migrants and supports the work of the Independent Experts on asylum-seekers lost their lives while trying to cross the human rights situations in the Central African the Sahara, the Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Somalia and Sudan, as Sea. well as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. In this context, OHCHR continued to support governments, civil society and other actors in their The High Commissioner visited the Central African responses to threats to the enjoyment of human rights. Republic and Nigeria (March) and, at the request One of these efforts included taking steps to increase of the Secretary-General, South Sudan (April) after awareness about the human rights challenges faced the mass killings in Bentiu and Bor. The Deputy by persons with albinism and providing support High Commissioner visited Togo (February) and the to civil society organizations to enable their more Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights visited effective engagement with international and regional South Sudan (January) and Burundi (June). human rights mechanisms. As a result, in November 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (upon recommendation of the Human Rights Council) proclaimed 13 June as International Albinism Country Offices Awareness Day. OHCHR continued to work closely with the AU in the context of peace operations, prevention of conflicts over natural resources and on issues related to business and human rights. Guinea (Conakry) Governments maintained their engagement with Year established 2010 OHCHR and the human rights treaty body system. Staff as of 31 December 2014 16 In total, 11 African countries were examined under the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review Expenditure in 2014 US$2,429,881 (UPR), resulting in more requests for support from governments, United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) and civil society actors. Results

OHCHR maintained 27 field presences in Africa: Strengthening international human rights four regional offices (Central, East, Southern and mechanisms West Africa); three country offices (Guinea, Togo and uu Establishment of participatory standing national Uganda); 10 human rights advisers within UNCTs coordinating bodies on reporting/replying to (Chad, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, individual communications and enquiries; and Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia); and integrated follow-up to recommendations of all 10 human rights components within UN peace human rights mechanisms; and submission of missions (Burundi, Central African Republic, Côte reports to treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic d’Ivoire, DRC, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Somalia, Review (EA 6) South Sudan and Sudan). The post of Human Rights An interministerial committee for the elaboration Adviser in Niger was discontinued in 2014 and the of State reports was established and its report to peace mission in Burundi completed its Security the UPR was prepared and submitted in 2014. Council mandate and closed down on 31 December OHCHR assisted in the drafting process and 2014. Human rights work in Burundi will continue provided members of the committee with relevant through the establishment of a stand-alone human human rights documentation. rights office in 2015.

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Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity uu National civilian and democratic oversight mechanism for defence and security forces

© OHCHR/Guinea established to prevent and provide remedies for human rights violations in compliance with international standards (EA 3) The oversight mechanism was established and is functioning. The Office contributed to its increased capacity through several training sessions. In addition, security forces, especially the gendarmerie and the police, improved the implementation of international human rights A representative of Guinea’s Ministry of Human Rights and Public standards in their everyday work. OHCHR noted Liberties speaks at the opening ceremony of an OHCHR event on some improvement in relation to their compliance human rights in the response to the Ebola crisis, December 2014. with international standards on detention, resulting in a decrease of cases of ill-treatment Combating impunity and strengthening and torture. accountability and the rule of law uu Integration of international human rights uu Formal learning institutions for gendarmerie and standards, including selected recommendations police include a programme for human rights issued by the UPR, in the United Nations training (EA 1) Development Assistance Framework 2013- The training modules on human rights for the 2017, through its midterm review and in the UN gendarmerie and the police were drafted and are Contingency Plan and UN Protection Clusters, currently being validated. Their dissemination and particularly concerning the forest region (EA 11) institutionalization should take place in 2015. As a result of the Office’s advocacy and technical uu National consultations on transitional justice support provided to the United Nations Country result in the establishment of accountability Team, some UN agencies are now integrating a mechanisms in compliance with international human rights based-approach in their activities. human rights standards (EA 3) For instance, the Office supported the drafting The provisional national reconciliation of a project on the prevention of conflict in commission was inaugurated by the Head of mining areas. In the context of the Ebola crisis, State and eight regional offices of the commission UN agencies and civil society organizations were established and are almost fully staffed. integrated human rights concerns in their The Office drafted the terms of reference for the responses to the crisis. staff of the regional offices and participated in the recruitment process. It also conducted several Guinea: Expenditure in 2014 activities to raise the awareness of the general Regular budget Extrabudgetary population on transitional justice issues. expenditure expenditure in US$ in US$ Widening the democratic space Personnel and - 1,662,339 uu Law establishing an independent national related costs human rights institution is promulgated and Consultants - - the institution is established and functioning in Official travel - 27,797 accordance with international standards (EA 1) Contractual services - 6,171 The Supreme Court declared the Law establishing General operating - 211,923 the National Human Rights Institution to be in expenses conformity with the Constitution. As the Law does Supplies and - 143,030 not fully comply with the Paris Principles, OHCHR materials continued its advocacy with the Government to Seminars, grants and - 99,076 ensure its full compliance. contributions Subtotal - 2,150,337 Programme support - 279,544 costs GRAND TOTAL - 2,429,881

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Togo of the UN human rights system through a training session that was facilitated by OHCHR which Year established 2006 focused on how to harmonize national legislation Staff as of 31 December 2014 6 with international standards. Expenditure in 2014 US$1,573,827 uu Magistrates and criminal investigation police effectively apply human rights norms (EA 1) Committed to the modernization of the justice Results authorities, the Ministry of Justice held a series of training sessions on the use of information Strengthening international human rights technology for magistrates, investigating judges mechanisms and court clerks. In this context, with the financial uu Two international conventions/optional protocols and technical support of OHCHR, investigating ratified (EA 2) judges and clerks of the Appeal Court of Kara In July, Togo ratified the International Convention received training on the use of information for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced technology for the proper maintenance of Disappearance. Among other advocacy and monthly records on the status of pending cases. training activities, OHCHR organized an A similar workshop was also held in Lomé with information session for members of the National OHCHR support. Assembly which aimed at empowering them on As part of its monitoring activities, which included basic human rights issues and encouraging their visits to prisons throughout the country, the integration in legislative tasks. Office regularly raised its concerns with the uu A permanent mechanism for integrated Minister of Justice and respective prosecutors on reporting and follow-up is fully institutionalized issues such as the conditions of detention and the and the national plan of action to implement treatment and state of health of detainees. In at recommendations of international human rights least two cases, OHCHR’s intervention resulted in mechanisms is adopted and being implemented detainees receiving timely medical treatment. (EA 6) uu The draft organic law of the National Human OHCHR provided significant technical support to Rights Commission, compliant with the Paris the Ministry of Human Rights in its work on the Principles and the Optional Protocol to the National Plan of Action for the implementation Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, of treaty body and UPR recommendations. The Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Plan was not officially adopted by the Council of becomes law and effectively starts implementing its Ministers before the end of the year. During the mandate as the National Preventive Mechanism June session of the Human Rights Council, Togo against torture (EA 3) submitted its voluntary midterm review report As of the end of 2014, the new organic law on the implementation of the accepted UPR on the National Human Rights Commission recommendations. OHCHR provided technical (NHRC), which is intended to fully comply with assistance during the drafting process, primarily the Paris Principles and integrate the National on the nature and type of data required. Preventive Mechanism (NPM) pursuant to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Combating impunity and strengthening Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading accountability and the rule of law Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT), was uu The draft criminal code and criminal procedure not yet adopted by the Council of Ministers. code and the prison and detention policy are Beginning in February, OHCHR submitted adopted in compliance with international human numerous observations on the latest draft of rights standards (EA 1) the proposed law to the Ministry of Human Some positive steps were taken to this end and Rights, including suggestions to incorporate a it is anticipated that the codes, which are in line gender criterion in the nomination process of with international standards, will be adopted commissioners, clarifications regarding internal in 2015. OHCHR provided expert advice to the procedural modalities in dealing with individual Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly complaints and a proposal to extend immunity regarding limits to life imprisonment and the to commissioners for decisions taken or opinions inclusion of provisions and terminology of the voiced in the framework of their functions. The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, delay in the approval of the law means that the Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment NPM is not yet in place and that the NHRC’s (CAT) in the draft penal code. Members of ability to efficiently perform its mission remains Parliament also developed a better understanding significantly impaired.

148 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: AFRICA

is developing the “Vision Togo 2030” programme that will guide public policies during the next 15 years opted to use a HRBA as a basic tool for its work. The MPD also integrates a HRBA in the implementation and evaluation of Togo’s Second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP II). In this context, OHCHR organized or contributed to various training exercises on a HRBA for the technical staff of both ministries as well as representatives of other State institutions such as the NHRC, the National Statistics Department and civil society organizations. As an example,

© OHCHR/Togo during a four-day training course in August, The Deputy High Commissioner inaugurates a human rights and 35 participants, including eight women, acquired peace resource centre in Sokodé, Togo, February 2014. comprehensive knowledge of how to apply a human rights-based approach to the monitoring uu Follow-up mechanism for the implementation of and evaluation of the PRSP II, particularly Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission regarding economic, social and cultural recommendations established and functioning rights, with a focus on the right to health. The according to transitional justice principles (EA 3) participants adopted a series of recommendations, In early April, the Council of Ministers took up the some of which are currently being implemented, suggestion of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation including the drafting of a guide to public Commission (CVJR) and formally adopted policy that takes a HRBA into account and the the White Paper, a document that provides establishment of an interministerial commission a road map for the operationalization of the tasked with overseeing the integration of a HRBA implementation of the CVJR recommendations. in public policies. OHCHR provided the Ministry of Human Rights uu The United Nations Development Assistance with comments and technical guidance related to Framework 2014-2018 is implemented, monitored the elaboration of the Paper, with the objective and evaluated in line with a human rights-based of ensuring the compliance of Togo’s transitional approach (EA 11) justice process with human rights principles of The first year of implementation of the United participation and accountability. OHCHR also Nations Development Assistance Framework funded the reproduction of 20,000 copies of (UNDAF), which primarily aims to support the the White Paper and the Government officially implementation of the PRSP II, was completed launched the dissemination campaign in June. with limited results. OHCHR and UNDP worked Copies were also prepared in local languages. together to support the Ministry of Human Rights In April, the Council of Ministers adopted a with various tasks, including the drafting of the presidential decree which formally created the National Action Plan for the implementation of High Commissioner for National Reconciliation treaty body and UPR recommendations as well and the Strengthening of National Unity, in as legal reforms, particularly the organic law compliance with a CVJR recommendation. The governing the creation and functioning of the three members were appointed at the end of NHRC. The NHRC received limited support due December. to delays in the adoption of the amended organic law which integrates the function of a National Integrating human rights in development and in Preventive Mechanism in the NHRC. the economic sphere uu Increased use of a human rights-based approach Widening the democratic space in the implementation and review of the uu National law has been amended to allow the Development and Employment Strategy, Administrative Chamber of the High Court to particularly in relation to the health sector and the consider appeals against the administrative health policy (EA 1) prohibition of peaceful assemblies and ensure the A human rights-based approach (HRBA) was effective independence of the Haute Autorité de substantially applied in the work of several l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication (EA 1) ministries, particularly the Ministry of Prospective In working on the revision of its organic and Public Policy Evaluation (MPPPE) and the law, the Supreme Court followed OHCHR’s Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD). recommendation to explicitly ensure access The MPPPE, which evaluates public policies and to emergency hearings by its Administrative

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Chamber in appeals against the prohibition of Uganda public peaceful assemblies, outlined in the 2011 Year established 2005 Law on public gatherings and demonstrations. The Office advocated for this revision with Staff as of 31 December 2014 30 the Heads of the Supreme Court and its Expenditure in 2014 US$3,718,164 Administrative Chamber and organized a three- day workshop on the issue in August. As of the end of the year, the final draft was not yet Results formally adopted by the Council of Ministers. uu Increased participation of women in decision- Strengthening international human rights making processes (EA 5) mechanisms Although OHCHR worked with the Ministry uu National institutional mechanisms are in place of Social Action and Women’s Promotion on and functioning to increase engagement with strategies to effectively implement gender international human rights mechanisms, namely parity in Togo, no substantial progress was the National Human Rights Action Plan and the achieved in this area. The cooperation between National Human Rights Education Plan (EA 6) OHCHR and the Ministry, however, led to the During the year, the Steering Committee establishment of a service centre providing for the National Human Rights Action Plan counselling to women in a variety of areas, became increasingly institutionalized and most including entrepreneurship and assistance for entities ensured that one fixed focal point was victims of violence. The Ministry took over continuously represented on the Committee. As ownership of this initiative, which is currently a result of OHCHR’s advocacy, other entities that being implemented in cooperation with UNFPA were not previously engaged, such as the Ministry and a Togolese women’s rights NGO. The Office of Education, took a formal decision to designate also contributed to the increased understanding a focal point to the Committee. The Steering of civil society organizations about gender parity Committee agreed that the National Human Rights and women’s engagement in democracies through Action Plan should have a clear framework to their participation in workshops and related enable institutionalizing mechanisms to respond events. For instance, OHCHR staff focused on to human rights mechanisms. This will be carried women’s rights during an IOM training session out through the interministerial committee on on the essential elements of the management of human rights, which is composed of the same migrations and highlighted the importance of the members as the Steering Committee for the active and significant participation of women in National Human Rights Action Plan. OHCHR such processes. supported the process of developing the Action Plan and carried out several capacity-building Togo: Expenditure in 2014 activities for the Steering Committee on topics such as a human rights-based approach and good Regular budget Extrabudgetary expenditure expenditure practices in developing national action plans. in US$ in US$ In terms of engagement with UN human rights Personnel and mechanisms, challenges remain as a result of - 975,557 related costs the absence of a functional structure for the Consultants - 2,309 preparation of State reports. One of the objectives Official travel - 34,589 of the Action Plan is to establish a formalized system to address the reporting backlog and Contractual services - 34,801 have the capacity to report and respond to issues General operating - 155,573 expenses arising from the human rights mechanisms in a systematic manner. Supplies and - 34,053 materials Seminars, grants and Combating impunity and strengthening - 155,884 contributions accountability and the rule of law Subtotal - 1,392,767 uu Traditional justice authorities are increasingly respecting human rights standards when solving Programme support - 181,060 costs conflicts in their communities (EA 1) GRAND TOTAL - 1,573,827 Traditional justice authorities increasingly apply human rights standards when solving conflicts in their communities. This was evident through their recognition of the different roles that various

150 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: AFRICA © OHCHR/Uganda A human rights officer meets with representatives of the Ik community in Uganda.

actors play in the administration of justice and (UPF) showed progress in their responses to their willingness to transfer cases to the formal human rights violations. For instance, in 2014, justice system. OHCHR organized 13 training 95 complaints of violations were reported against sessions in northern Uganda for 210 traditional the UPDF and the UPF compared to 125 in 2013. leaders and elders from Moroto, Kotido and The UPF consolidated the UPF Human Rights and Napak districts who received training on human Legal Services Directorate with the deployment right standards and their role in supporting the of 22 police human rights and legal officers to modern justice system. A round-table meeting different regions. In September, OHCHR and was also organized for key traditional leaders the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) and formal justice system representatives from trained 21 of these officers on human rights the three districts to improve their working concepts, protection, the UN Code of Conduct relationships. Based on the skills the traditional for law enforcement officers and human rights leaders acquired, the leaders requested the monitoring and reporting. In Northern Uganda, modern justice institutions to recognize the role OHCHR conducted two similar trainings for of the traditional leaders in the administration 30 police officers in Gulu District and held of justice. Some traditional leaders referred and advocacy meetings with police commanders transferred criminal cases to the police or the from Gulu, Nwoya and Amuru in relation to courts, an indicator that they could now discern cases of torture. Furthermore, between 2013 and that criminal cases could be tried fairly by a 2014, OHCHR noted a significant reduction in competent modern court instead of in traditional the number of complaints of incommunicado courts. Additional engagement is required to detention and torture by the Chieftaincy of determine how the traditional leaders applied Military Intelligence (CMI). The Office organized the standard on non-discrimination in relation to two trainings for the CMI on human rights women and girls and other human right standards standards relating to the use of force and firearms. when arbitrating justice in their communities. uu Increased integration of human rights standards, uu Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, the Uganda including economic, social and cultural rights in Police Force and the Uganda Prisons Service the curriculum of the Judicial Studies Institute of increasingly comply with international standards Uganda (EA 1) on the use of force, arrest, detention and treatment In cooperation with the Judicial Studies Institute of persons in custody, including in events of of Uganda (JSI), OHCHR designed a curriculum counter-terrorism, treason charges and rebellion on economic, social and cultural rights. The (EA 1) draft curriculum was validated at the JSI Judicial In Karamoja, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Dialogue on the enforceability of economic, social Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force and cultural rights, held in Kampala in December.

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uu Justice, Law and Order Sector and other relevant was addressed in Karamoja. Local government stakeholders increasingly apply human rights authorities committed to increasing the number standards in the development and implementation of Ik community members who participate of transitional justice policies, legislation and in the planning of programmes that are to be programmes (EA 3) implemented in the sub-county of Kamion The draft national transitional justice policy is during the financial year 2015-2016. The local pending approval. The delay in its approval government and the UPDF took responsibility is largely due to a long consultative process to ensure that the insecurity faced by this ethnic during which stakeholders sought to incorporate minority group was curbed. OHCHR contributed additional input. OHCHR participated in several to this result by undertaking an assessment of policy meetings to discuss the draft transitional the human rights situation of the Ik community justice policy framework, including bilateral and producing a documentary which revealed meetings with the Justice, Law and Order Sector’s discriminatory practices against the group. Transitional Justice Working Group and a high- level conference organized by the International Integrating human rights in development and in Centre for Transitional Justice in October. the economic sphere The conference brought together policymakers, uu Increased compliance of national, sector and local parliamentarians, civil society, development government development plans with international partners and victims’ groups to discuss the draft. human rights standards and principles (EA 1) uu Networks of civil society organizations OHCHR, in collaboration with the UHRC and increasingly advocate for and litigate to claim the German Federal Enterprise for International their economic, social and cultural rights (EA 5) Cooperation, rolled out training on a human Local communities undertook advocacy activities rights-based approach to ministries, departments with the Acholi Parliamentary Group in relation to and agencies, national planning authorities and forced evictions that were taking place, resulting district local governments in relation to the in the halting of the evictions. The communities preparation for the Second National Development also pursued legal remedies with regards to Plan (NDP II). As a result, the NDP II, which is in the status of the disputed area. OHCHR was its final stages of completion, maintains a stronger instrumental in strengthening the capacity of the human rights perspective than the NDP I. It also local communities to achieve this result. In Gulu, incorporates human rights indicators, reviewed the Lakanga and Apaa communities increasingly by OHCHR, to guide stakeholders in monitoring approached the Office to register complaints the Government’s compliance with its human regarding forced evictions, arbitrary arrest and rights commitments. The NDP II also prioritized detention, as well as degrading treatment. implementation of the National Human Rights OHCHR held a series of sensitization meetings Action Plan. with the affected communities on land, housing uu UNCT and UN agencies programmes and funds and property rights. increasingly incorporate a human rights-based approach in their interventions (EA 11) Enhancing equality and countering Uganda’s UNDAF is in its final stages of discrimination completion and maintains a stronger human uu Legislation, policies and institutional practices rights content than the previous version. OHCHR substantively comply with non-discrimination contributed to this result through the delivery of and equality standards, particularly on gender, training on a human rights-based approach to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex UNCT’s Programme Management and Monitoring persons, persons with disabilities and persons and Evaluation Teams. living with HIV/AIDS (EA 4) The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Widening the democratic space Development agreed to promote a two-year uu Legal frameworks, legislation, regulations and media gender mainstreaming strategy to provide policies increasingly respect and protect public the media with guidance on how to integrate a freedoms (freedom of association, assembly, gender perspective in their programming and expression and opinion and of the press) and reporting. The strategy is in line with the 2010 democratic principles, and government actors recommendations of the Committee on the (UPDF, UPF, ministry and local government) Elimination of Discrimination against Women increasingly respect them (EA 1) and was developed by OHCHR in collaboration A reduction of human rights violations related with the Uganda Media Women’s Association. to restrictions to public freedoms was reported. The plight of discriminated ethnic minorities Police officers now tend to engage more in

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dialogue with organizers of demonstrations and officers and community members. Moreover, the assemblies. OHCHR focused on capacity-building coordination and joint implementation of activities of the Human Rights Offices recently created by between the UHRC and OHCHR improved. In the UPF, the UPDF and the CMI. In 2014, law Karamoja, for instance, the increased lobbying enforcement agencies increased their institutional and advocacy with the regional office of the awareness about human rights and their UHRC, as well as the undertaking of investigation responses to complaints received, partially due missions, led to a marked increase in the number to the creation of the abovementioned Human of cases being handled by the UHRC tribunals. Rights Offices. OHCHR, in cooperation with the Nevertheless, OHCHR observed that the UHRC UHRC, also trained 21 officers (six of whom were faced a number of challenges in fulfilling its women) from the UPF Directorate of Human mandate in accordance with the Paris Principles, Rights and Legal Affairs regarding human rights, including issues in relation to its budget and mechanisms for human rights protection, the human resources. UN Code of Conduct for law enforcement officers, uu The Human Rights Defenders Coalition and other human rights standards to public freedoms and networks of civil society organizations increasingly monitoring and reporting. In November, the defend and claim their rights, including in Directorate was publicly acknowledged by civil northern Uganda and Karamoja (EA 7) society organizations for its rapid interventions to The capacity of Ugandan civil society organization solve cases of human rights violations perpetrated networks to monitor and report on, advocate for by police officers against lesbian, gay, bisexual and claim human rights is progressively increasing. transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons. This improvement is evident in different actions Additionally, OHCHR supported the UPF in that were taken by the networks in 2014. For finalizing the revision of the standard operating instance, based on training provided by OHCHR, procedures (SOPs) which regulate police conduct the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in the execution of law enforcement functions, was able to compile reports about the human with a view to ensuring the integration of human rights situation all over the country, which were rights standards. The Office provided technical in turn used to inform the African Commission advice on human rights standards applicable to on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In November, policing which were successfully incorporated the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and in the revised SOPs, particularly on the rights Constitutional Law, which had been trained by of suspects and principles on the human OHCHR, published a report on violations based treatment of suspects, the prohibition of torture on gender identity and sexual orientation, which and restrictions on the use of firearms as well shows a qualitative improvement in the capacity of as responsibilities with respect to public order this coalition to report on human rights violations management. The SOPs are awaiting approval against LGBTI persons. from the Police Council. uu The Uganda Human Rights Commission increasingly implements its constitutional Uganda: Expenditure in 2014 mandate in accordance with the Paris Principles, Regular budget Extrabudgetary monitors and handles cases of human rights expenditure expenditure violations and undertakes human rights in US$ in US$ Personnel and promotion interventions (EA 1) - 1,878,791 related costs There has been a progressive increase in the capacity of UHRC staff members to monitor, Consultants - 58,735 advocate on critical human rights issues with State Official travel - 82,432 authorities and report on and handle cases dealing Contractual services - 122,302 with human rights violations. In 2014, OHCHR General operating - 429,457 supported and facilitated eight training workshops expenses Supplies and in Kampala aimed at building the capacity of - 182,433 UHRC staff members in different thematic areas, materials Seminars, grants and including investigations and monitoring, economic, - 536,261 social and cultural rights and a human rights-based contributions approach, among others. Additionally, OHCHR Subtotal - 3,290,411 Programme support involved the UHRC in the joint organization - 427,753 and facilitation of most of the advocacy actions costs and capacity-building activities addressed to GRAND TOTAL - 3,718,164 civil society organizations, journalists, police

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Regional Offices and Centres Integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere uu Increased participation in policy design and monitoring of compliance of human rights United Nations Centre for Human Rights standards relating to business (EA 5) and Democracy in Central Africa/OHCHR Significant improvement was reported in the Central Africa Regional Office (Yaoundé, capacity of rights-holders to claim their rights in relation to the activities of businesses. This is due Cameroon) in part to the efforts of media and civil society Year established 2001 actors who received training from OHCHR on the Staff as of 31 December 2014 12 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In Gabon, civil society organizations are Expenditure in 2014 US$1,590,827 monitoring the Government’s compliance with the Principles within the framework of its social and economic development plan. In Congo, OHCHR- Results trained media professionals are undertaking important sensitization campaigns. Strengthening international human rights mechanisms United Nations Centre for Human Rights and uu Increased ratification of international Democracy in Central Africa/OHCHR Central human rights instruments with a focus on the Africa Regional Office (Yaoundé, Cameroon): International Convention on the Protection of Expenditure in 2014 the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, Convention on the Rights Regular budget Extrabudgetary expenditure expenditure of Persons with Disabilities, International in US$ in US$ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Personnel and 699,453 109,019 Racial Discrimination, International Covenant on related costs Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant Consultants - - on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Official travel 25,853 39,057 their respective optional protocols, as well as on Contractual services 3,749 24,661 the optional protocols to the Convention on the General operating Rights of the Child and the Convention against 121,110 98,921 expenses Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Supplies and 11,950 88,078 Treatment or Punishment in Cameroon, Republic materials of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Seminars, grants and 116,648 181,914 Sao Tomé and Principe (EA 2) contributions Gabon ratified the Optional Protocol to the Subtotal 978,762 541,650 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Programme support - 70,415 Cultural Rights and the Republic of Congo and costs the Republic of Sao Tomé and Principe ratified GRAND TOTAL 978,762 612,065 the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. OHCHR has unceasingly advocated for these ratifications since 2013. uu Increased compliance and engagement of Member States with international human rights mechanisms (EA 6) In June, the Government of Cameroon extended a standing invitation to the UN special procedures mandate-holders in response to a recommendation issued by the Universal Periodic Review. The invitation also followed advocacy undertaken by the former High Commissioner during her visit to Cameroon in 2013 and the ongoing follow-up by OHCHR.

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Private sector in Cameroon increases compliance with and regional human rights mechanisms. human rights standards In Ethiopia, the Office provided technical and financial support to two Ethiopian civil society Inspired by training they had taken with OHCHR, organizations to facilitate their engagement in a group of journalists visited the Lom Pangar Ethiopia’s second cycle of the Universal Periodic hydroelectricity dam project in Cameroon. The Review. Both organizations participated in the purpose of the trip was to observe the human rights session at which Ethiopia’s report was reviewed. compliance of the project in light of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Immediately Combating impunity and strengthening following the trip, the journalists produced reports accountability and the rule of law and documentaries based on their findings, which in u Strategies and resolutions adopted by the turn led the Chairperson of the National Commission Commission of the African Union and the African on Human Rights and Freedoms to make a public Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights statement criticizing the human rights record of the on truth and reconciliation in specific country project and call for reforms. The firm responsible for the situations are informed by relevant international hydroelectricity dam project eventually made a public human rights standards (EA 8) statement acknowledging the human rights concerns OHCHR followed up on developments related to and presented a plan designed to improve the situation. the African Union’s (AU) draft African Transitional Justice Policy Framework. In August, OHCHR Similarly, OHCHR organized a field visit to the project participated in a workshop organized by the AU sites and neighbouring communities of a rubber to validate the policy and provided technical exploitation company. As a result, the company carried inputs aimed at its alignment with international out significant housing projects to improve the living human rights standards. The policy was validated conditions of those affected by its activities. at the end of the workshop.

Integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere Regional Office for East Africa u The strategy on the post-2015 development agenda (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the AU systematically integrates Year established 2002 vulnerable and disadvantaged groups (EA 11) Staff as of 31 December 2014 9 The United Nations Economic Commission for Expenditure in 2014 US$903,523 Africa (UNECA) and the AU collaborated to play a pivotal role in developing the African common position on the post-2015 development agenda. In Results November, the Regional Office trained the UNCT on a human rights-based approach to facilitate the Strengthening international human rights integration of human rights, in particular those mechanisms related to vulnerable groups, into the UNECA/AU u Civil society organizations contribute to all sessions strategy on the post-2015 development agenda. of United Nations treaty bodies and the Universal The Regional Office also worked with the UN Periodic Review. In addition, an increased Working Group on Business and Human Rights, number of communications will be sent to special UNECA and the AU to organize the first African procedures by Djibouti and Ethiopia (EA 7) Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights, Following a training that was organized by the which was held in September. Moreover, the Regional Office, the Human Rights Commission Regional Forum helped to advance the dialogue and UNDP, civil society organizations in Djibouti on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and committed to establishing a framework to Human Rights in the African context and the help ensure their participation in the process Office explored potential areas of cooperation of reporting to the treaty bodies. The Office with the African Union as a follow-up to the contributed to the enhanced knowledge of these event. organizations with respect to using international

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Regional Office for East Africa Regional Office for Southern Africa (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): Expenditure in 2014 (Pretoria, South Africa) Regular budget Extrabudgetary Year established 1998 expenditure expenditure in US$ in US$ Staff as of 31 December 2014 6 Personnel and Expenditure in 2014 US$931,117 - 605,420 related costs Consultants - - Official travel - 55,385 Results Contractual services - 10,431 Strengthening international human rights General operating - 70,041 expenses mechanisms u Supplies and Ratification by Angola of the International - 9,042 materials Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Seminars, grants and Discrimination or the Convention against Torture - 49,289 contributions and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Subtotal - 799,607 or Punishment; by Comoros of the International Programme support Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; by South - 103,916 costs Africa of the International Covenant on Economic, GRAND TOTAL - 903,523 Social and Cultural Rights; and by Zimbabwe of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment or the International Convention on the Protection of the Release of refugees in Djibouti Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (EA 2) In April 2014, the OHCHR Regional Representative Angola acceded to the International Convention for East Africa undertook a mission to Djibouti. on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and While there, he met with Djiboutian authorities to its Optional Protocol on 19 May and signed advocate for the release of 266 Eritrean refugees the International Convention for the Protection and asylum-seekers who had been held in detention of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance at the Negad Police Academy, some for five years. on 24 September. Mozambique acceded to the Following a meeting with the Minister of Interior, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against OHCHR Regional Representative, a representative Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading from UNHCR and the Chair of the National Human Treatment or Punishment on 1 July. Madagascar Rights Commission of Djibouti conducted a joint visit signed the International Convention on the to the Negad Police Academy. The representatives Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers met with some of the refugees and asylum-seekers, and Members of Their Families on 24 September. who explained why they had left their country, and The Regional Office advocated for the ratification subsequently requested their release. Following the visit, on 13 April 2014, the Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers were released and relocated to refugee camps. © OHCHR/Southern Africa Participants at an OHCHR meeting on indigenous peoples for national human rights institutions in Southern Africa.

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of the human rights treaties during each of its Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and missions to the countries of the subregion. Zimbabwe (EA 11) uu Standing invitation to special procedures issued by The United Nations Country Teams in Zambia Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius and Namibia (EA 6) and Zimbabwe completed the United Nations After a number of years without visits by special Development Assistance Framework preparation procedures mandate-holders, Botswana accepted process in 2014 and the Regional Office carried a visit by the Special Rapporteur in the field of out missions to these countries to provide cultural rights in November and the Government technical assistance on the human rights-based is engaged in discussions related to possible approach. dates in 2015 for a visit by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. The Regional Office will Widening the democratic space continue to advocate for the issuing of a standing uu National human rights institutions established invitation. and/or functioning in compliance with the Paris Principles in Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Enhancing equality and countering Mozambique and Zimbabwe (EA 1) discrimination In Botswana, the Government agreed to hold a uu National human rights institutions address the national consultation to engage with all relevant issues of equality and non-discrimination in line stakeholders on the process of creating a national with international standards in Botswana and human rights institution (NHRI). The consultation Zimbabwe (EA 4) was tentatively scheduled for mid-2014, but was At a workshop organized by OHCHR, in postponed to 2015 due to the national elections. collaboration with UNDP, Commissioners of The Mozambique Human Rights Commission the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission visited prisons and detention centres in the increased their knowledge and capacity to provinces, marking its first systematic monitoring resolve complaints and developed a complaints undertaken in its capacity as a National Preventive admissions tool. Furthermore, the Commissioners Mechanism. In December 2013, the Office and established priorities for the immediate work of UNDP collaborated to provide training to the the Commission. Commission on the role of NHRIs operating as a NPM and on human rights monitoring. During Integrating human rights in development and in a subregional event organized in June, NHRIs the economic sphere from Angola, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, uu Mechanisms and/or policies on business and Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe participated in human rights, including with regard to an effective a training designed to better equip them in their remedy, established in Mozambique (EA 3) work on the rights of indigenous peoples. The The Government of Mozambique announced its training included the launch of a manual, entitled commitment to develop a national action plan The United Nations Declaration on the Rights on business and human rights at the National of Indigenous Peoples: A Manual for National Conference on Business and Human Rights. Human Rights Institutions. The Conference took place in August and was uu Civil society, in particular youth and women, organized by the Mozambican Human Rights increasingly advocate for and claim their rights; League in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and protect themselves more effectively from and with support from OHCHR. In addition, the reprisals (EA 5) Government and civil society agreed to establish On 30 July, the Regional Office launched the a platform for dialogue on and the monitoring of Human Rights Resource Centre at the Library of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles the School of Law in South Africa. OHCHR, the on Business and Human Rights. The Regional United Nations Information Centre and UNAIDS Office contributed to the increased awareness contributed publications to establish the Resource of Government counterparts on the importance Centre. In an effort to raise awareness about of developing a policy on business and human human rights, the Resource Centre provides free rights through other activities, including a mission access to OHCHR publications to law professors, to Maputo with an OHCHR expert on business students, civil society and other stakeholders. and human rights from 22-24 July. uu Human rights-based approach in the next United Nations Development Assistance Framework/ United Nations Partnership Framework and selected other UN programmes in Botswana,

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Regional Office for Southern Africa Regional Office for West Africa (Pretoria, South Africa): Expenditure in 2014 (Dakar, Senegal) Regular budget Extrabudgetary Year established 2007 expenditure expenditure in US$ in US$ Staff as of 31 December 2014 11 Personnel and Expenditure in 2014 US$1,263,264 - 625,298 related costs Consultants - - Official travel - 31,731 Results Contractual services - 13,807 Strengthening international human rights General operating - 60,222 expenses mechanisms u Supplies and Cape Verde ratifies the Convention on the - 14,161 materials Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Seminars, grants and Optional Protocol; the Optional Protocol to the - 78,779 contributions International Covenant on Economic, Social and Subtotal - 823,997 Cultural Rights; and the Optional Protocol to the Programme support Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, - 107,120 costs Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment GRAND TOTAL - 931,117 (EA 2) In 2014, Cape Verde ratified the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social Human rights resource centres in Southern Africa and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. OHCHR contributed to this result through capacity-building and advocacy initiatives vis-à-vis national authorities. u Fully functioning participatory standing national coordinating bodies are established for reporting/replying to individual communications and enquiries; and integrated follow-up to recommendations of all human rights mechanisms; and an increased number of reports submitted by Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Deputy Representative of the OHCHR Regional Office for the Gambia and Senegal (EA 6) Southern Africa speaks at the opening ceremony of a human rights resource centre at the University of Venda in South Africa. In Benin, the National Action Plan on Human Rights was validated with the support of the On 30 July 2014, the OHCHR Regional Office for Regional Office. The Regional Office also Southern Africa opened a human rights resource centre advocated for the strengthening of the national at the Library of the School of Law at the University coordination mechanism in charge of reporting of Venda. Located in Thohoyandou in the Limpopo to the human rights mechanisms and monitoring Province of South Africa, the University’s new resource the implementation of their recommendations. centre will provide free access to human rights The three ministries in Burkina Faso that are publications for students, academics, researchers, in charge of State reporting harmonized their representatives of civil society and the public at large. It procedures with OHCHR’s support. The Office will also serve as a de facto reference library for official also provided technical support to the preparation OHCHR publications. To support the development of all reports drafted in 2014, including to the of the resource centre, OHCHR donated more than Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination 400 copies of publications and the former High against Women and the Committee on Enforced Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, donated Disappearances. The Government of the part of her personal collection of law books. The Gambia elaborated its national report to the establishment of the resource centre is part of a larger Universal Periodic Review, although with limited project being undertaken by the Regional Office to consultation with civil society. In Senegal, establish similar centres in each country that it covers. OHCHR and UNICEF supported the establishment South Africa already hosts two centres and others have and functioning of a technical committee to been established in Malawi and Mozambique. review the National Human Rights Action Plan in

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Business and human rights high on the agenda in Mozambique

Since 2013, displaced communities in the Mozambican province of Tete have been struggling to make their concerns known to the Government, local courts and the mining company whose operations have forced them to move far away from their livelihoods,

homes and lands and settle in makeshift shelters © OHCHR/Nicolas Meulders without water, medical services or schools. Press briefing after a monitoring visit to the prison in Diourbel, Senegal, jointly undertaken by OHCHR and Senegal’s National Observer of Places of Deprivation of Liberty. In 2014, OHCHR and UNDP organized a conference to validate the country’s first human rights research Enhancing equality and countering study on the impact of business on human rights. discrimination The conference provided a platform for these u National laws have been harmonized with communities to share their experiences and stories. As regional and international standards on non- the community representatives reported, their living discrimination and equality in Burkina Faso, situations have markedly deteriorated since the arrival Cape Verde, the Gambia and Senegal (EA 4) of the mining company. The Ministry for the Family in Benin requested OHCHR’s support to initiate an analytical The event brought together 80 representatives from study for the harmonization of national laws the Government, business enterprises, civil society and on the rights of women and of children with development partners and helped promote dialogue international standards and the recommendations among the stakeholders. It also provided an opportunity of human rights mechanisms. In Cape Verde, to emphasize the need for human rights due diligence in the National Action Plan to Combat Gender- the context of Mozambique’s growing extractive industry Based Violence was revised to integrate anti- so that risks to vulnerable groups or communities are discriminatory and equality provisions as a taken into account before work is undertaken. result of technical advice and inputs provided by OHCHR and UN Women. With the support Based on the findings of the study and following of OHCHR, the Senegalese Ministry of Health is the discussions at the conference, an important drafting a law for the harmonization of provisions recommendation was made that the Government on reproductive health with regional and should continue developing accountability measures international human rights standards. and remedies to address the negative impacts of u Judicial procedures in Senegal are simplified business activities. This recommendation, and others, to improve access to justice for women and will be included in a national action plan that will be discriminated groups (in particular migrants, developed to implement the UN Guiding Principles on persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, Business and Human Rights. transgender and intersex persons) (EA 4) In 2014, the National Assembly of Senegal adopted the revised Penal Code and Code of line with UPR recommendations. Moreover, the Criminal Procedure. The Regional Office followed Office supported the Ministry of Justice during the up on their implementation and supported validation process of the initial report due under the national human rights institution and civil the Convention on the Rights of Persons with society organizations in their development of an Disabilities. advocacy document for parliamentarians in order u National human rights institutions and civil to ensure the compliance of the two codes with society organizations in Benin, Burkina Faso, international standards. Cape Verde, the Gambia and Senegal increasingly engage with international and regional human Integrating human rights in development and in rights mechanisms (EA 7) the economic sphere Frequent collaboration and exchange of u The United Nations Development Assistance information between OHCHR and civil society Framework (UNDAF) incorporates a human organizations in the Gambia led to their increased rights-based approach in Benin, Burkina Faso, use of international human rights mechanisms. Cape Verde, the Gambia and Senegal (EA 11) For instance, 14 submissions were made in In Benin, as a result of support provided by anticipation of the second cycle of the UPR. OHCHR during the UNDAF planning session for 2015, members of the United Nations Country

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Team increased their awareness of the need to to work on this issue. The Regional Office integrate human rights into the planning cycle and elaborated a guide on human rights and gender implement the UPR recommendations. Similarly, for parliamentarians and supported the National based on the advice provided by OHCHR, the Observatory of Parity in its reform of the National UNCT in Cape Verde is more familiar with human Assembly’s rules of procedure to ensure their rights principles and took steps for their integration conformity with international standards. into the UNDAF midterm review process. In both Burkina Faso and the Gambia, the Regional Office Early warning and protection of human rights was actively involved in the midterm review of in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity the UNDAFs and provided technical expertise on uu Timely response to human rights issues in the human rights principles and standards. context of early warning efforts, mainly in relation to the Sahel crisis, by the Human Rights Widening the democratic space Council and the Economic Community of West uu A national human rights institution has been African States (EA 10) established and works in conformity with OHCHR elaborated a guidance note on the international standards in Benin, Burkina Faso, integration of human rights and a gender Cape Verde, the Gambia and Senegal (EA 1) perspective in the fight against the Ebola virus In Cape Verde, the revision of the Law of the disease. The note, which was shared with National Human Rights Commission was delayed UN Resident Coordinators, State entities and other in 2014 and the Regional Office maintained development actors in the subregion, is a result of its advocacy for a strong institution that is OHCHR’s monitoring of the crisis. operating in accordance with the Paris Principles. In Burkina Faso, OHCHR collaborated with Regional Office for West Africa the Association Francophone des Commissions (Dakar, Senegal): Expenditure in 2014 Nationales des Droits de l’Homme and UNDP Regular budget Extrabudgetary to support capacity-building initiatives for the expenditure expenditure members of the NHRI and is currently contributing in US$ in US$ Personnel and to the elaboration of the NHRI’s strategic plan 757,666 103,226 and action plan. In the Gambia, a draft NHRI law, related costs which is slightly more compliant with the Paris Consultants - 13,569 Principles, integrated OHCHR recommendations. Official travel 7,774 28,638 uu Increased participation of women in political life, Contractual services 5,591 21,313 specifically in Parliaments and local institutions General operating 23,486 26,856 in Benin and Senegal (EA 5) expenses In Senegal, the President of the National Supplies and 29,503 111,023 Assembly and the President of the Human materials Rights Commission and Laws expressed their Seminars, grants and 17,645 68,472 commitment to implement Senegalese human contributions rights commitments in the framework of their Subtotal 841,665 373,097 mandates, particularly in relation to women’s Programme support - 48,503 rights. A committee was subsequently established costs by the President of the National Assembly GRAND TOTAL 841,665 421,599 © OHCHR/Leonie Pow © OHCHR/Leonie Pow Images of awareness-raising events organized by the OHCHR Regional Office for West Africa.

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Human Rights Components in independent and credible mechanism for the UN Peace Missions promotion and protection of human rights. In 2014, it retained its ‘A’ status and is consequently recognized to be playing an important role at the national level. It is, however, important to United Nations Integrated Office in note that the NIHRC has limited resources which Burundi prevent it from effectively monitoring cases of human rights violations, in particular relating to Year established 1995 (since 2006 sexual and gender-based violence. as part of the United uu A draft law for the protection of human rights Nations Integrated defenders is adopted and a basket fund for the Office in Burundi) National Human Rights Commission is established Staff as of 31 December 2014 17 (EA 1) The NIHRC prepared a draft law on the protection of human defenders, with the support of OHCHR, Results which was validated during a meeting with civil society organizations. The draft law has not yet Combating impunity and strengthening been submitted to the Government for its review. accountability and the rule of law The Office provided the NIHRC with technical and uu The status and recruitment process of magistrates financial support for the organization of four regional comply with international standards and the workshops for State and non-State actors on the High Judicial Council is able to perform its role of human rights defenders and the need for the constitutional duties and contribute to the creation of a national mechanism for their protection. consolidation of judicial independence (EA 1) In March 2014, the Office supported the development of the first formal examination United Nations Multidimensional for the recruitment of magistrates in Burundi’s Integrated Stabilization Mission in the history. At the end of the process, 66 magistrates Central African Republic had been recruited, including 20 women, in a Year established 2000 fair and transparent process. The Office also supported the reform of the Law on the High Staff as of 31 December 2014 84 Judicial Council, but the Ministry of Justice has yet to submit it to the Parliament for its review. uu A credible and independent Truth and Results Reconciliation Commission is established and is functioning in compliance with international Strengthening international human rights standards (EA 3) mechanisms The Law on the Truth and Reconciliation uu Government ratifies outstanding core human Commission (TRC) was adopted in April and rights instruments, in particular the International promulgated by the President of the Republic Convention for the Protection of All Persons in May. The ad hoc commission that was tasked from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional with the pre-selection of the members of the Protocol to the International Covenant on TRC was established in August and transmitted Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (EA 2) its report to the National Assembly in December. In 2014, the Government of the Central African The President of the Republic formally nominated Republic established a national ratification the members of the TRC on 8 December. The committee to identify the international human UN, including OHCHR, provided advocacy rights treaties that have not been ratified and to and technical support which contributed to the work towards their ratification. The Human Rights establishment of the TRC. and Justice Section (HRJS) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Widening the democratic space the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is assisting uu The Independent National Human Rights the Government with the ratification process. Commission is fully functioning in accordance with the Paris Principles (EA 1) Combating impunity and strengthening The National Independent Human Rights accountability and the rule of law Commission (NIHRC) improved its work and uu A comprehensive transitional justice strategy is is progressively reinforcing its status as an adopted and implemented (EA 3)

OHCHR REPORT 2014 161 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: AFRICA © UN Photo/Catianne Tijerina © UN Photo/Catianne The Chief of the Human Rights and Justice Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic meets with local Muslim leaders in Bangui.

Guidelines for the Urgent Temporary Measures to Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) on United Nations address impunity were drafted, with the support support to non-United Nations security forces. of the HRJS, and signed by the Government. In addition, MINUSCA and the Ministry of National Reconciliation, Political Dialogue and Promotion of Civic Culture co-organized a workshop United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire on human rights and transitional justice for Year established 2004 representatives of the Government, civil society organizations, the Bangui Bar Association Staff as of 31 December 2014 64 and other national institutions to familiarize participants with the principles and pillars of transitional justice. Results

Early warning and protection of human rights Strengthening international human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity mechanisms uu National mechanisms ensure greater uu Improved engagement with the international accountability for human rights violations (EA 3) human rights mechanisms by the Government A National Committee for Genocide Prevention through the establishment of participatory standing was activated with the financial support and national coordinating bodies on reporting/replying technical advice of MINUSCA. The National to individual communications and enquiries; Committee has begun its work to prevent and integrated follow-up to recommendations genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity of all human rights mechanisms and the timely at the national and regional levels. submission of reports to treaty bodies and the uu Human rights based-approaches incorporated into Universal Periodic Review (EA 6) the Humanitarian Country Team’s overall efforts With assistance from the Human Rights Division and the work of MINUSCA’s components and (HRD) of the United Nations Operation in Côte peacebuilding policies and programmes (EA 11) d'Ivoire (UNOCI), the Government prepared In 2014, the UN recorded 3,498 violations its report to the Human Rights Committee. affecting the civilian population, many of which No progress was made, however, in the submission occurred in Bangui. In order to reduce the of overdue reports to other treaty bodies. number of these violations, the HRJS organized uu Improved engagement of non-governmental training for security sector institutions, State organizations, national human rights institutions authorities and civil society on human rights or individuals with treaty bodies and special principles, international humanitarian and human procedures, especially in relation to women’s and rights law and the United Nations Human Rights children’s rights (EA 7)

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In relation to the 2009 review of Côte d’Ivoire during the first cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, only seven submissions were made by national NGOs. A total of 13 submissions were made by NGOs for the second cycle in 2014. In addition, during the country visits of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Côte d’Ivoire (11-13 February) and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (16-20 June), the HRD organized information sharing meetings with NGOs during which they provided the experts with first-hand information on the human rights situation. © OHCHR/Côte d’Ivoire A human rights officer facilitating an awareness-raising activity with 600 ex-combatants in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire. Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law uu A comprehensive transitional justice strategy is providing the NHRC with technical advice for implemented and key recommendations of the the drafting of its planning documents. After the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission workshop, the NHRC drafted its strategic plan are implemented (EA 3) which is currently pending adoption. After three years, the mandate of the Dialogue, On 20 June, following advocacy undertaken by Truth and Reconciliation Commission expired HRD-supported civil society organizations, the on 28 September. The Commission presented Government adopted the Law on the promotion its final report to the President of the Republic and protection of human rights defenders. The on 15 December in a public ceremony that was Law outlines the rights and duties of human rights attended by authorities and representatives of the defenders and defines the obligations of the State international community. At the ceremony, the in terms of the promotion and protection of the President confirmed his intention of setting up a rights of these actors. special fund on reparations for victims of the conflict. Early warning and protection of human rights Widening the democratic space in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity uu The National Human Rights Commission improves uu A National Strategy to fight gender-based violence its compliance with the Paris Principles (EA 1) and its National Action Plan implemented (EA 1) In 2014, the HRD supported the National Human In July 2013, the Government adopted the Rights Commission (NHRC) through a variety of National Strategy to Combat Gender-Based activities, including a May workshop aimed at Violence. The Strategy was elaborated over a © OHCHR/Côte d’Ivoire Commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Côte d’Ivoire, December 2014.

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four-year period and was coordinated by UNFPA, with the support of the UN in Côte d'Ivoire. On 5 September 2014, the Minister for Solidarity, Family, Women and Children officially launched the Strategy. It is anticipated that the institutional capacity in Côte d’Ivoire to respond to sexual and gender-based violence will improve. Limited resources, however, will be a significant challenge as the implementation of the Strategy is heavily dependent on donor contributions.

Women and children participate in truth and reconcili- ation efforts in Côte d’Ivoire © UNAMID/Albert González Farran From 27 February to 8 March 2014, a pilot project Participants at a workshop on human rights organized by UNAMID was implemented by Côte d’Ivoire’s Dialogue, Truth in El Fasher, North Darfur. and Reconciliation Commission (DTRC) to collect testimonies from victims living in eight localities across the country. An evaluation of the pilot project revealed African Union-United Nations Hybrid very low participation rates of children and women Operation in Darfur (less than 10 per cent) who were afraid of being seen Year established 2008 going to “testimony collection centres” and due to Staff as of 31 December 2014 134 disinformation about the work of the DTRC.

To address these issues, the Human Rights Division Results (HRD) of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) developed a strategy to mobilize different Strengthening international human rights actors that would encourage women and children mechanisms to engage with the DTRC. For example, the HRD u Standing invitation issued to special procedures worked with Radio UNOCI to deliver messages that (EA 6) informed the public about the work of the DTRC. It In February and June, the Independent Expert on the was proposed that the DTRC create mobile centres so situation of human rights in the Sudan visited Darfur that testimonies could be collected where victims lived and met with various individuals and entities to and NGOs were active in reassuring victims about the share insights on the human rights and humanitarian process. The United Nations Police was also mobilized situation in Darfur, including state governors, the to provide security to victims. In addition, outreach Head of the Darfur Regional Authority, the Special efforts were carried out to involve other UN agencies in Prosecutor for crimes in Darfur, members of the the process. UN Women, for instance, supported the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, the establishment of a female team to collect testimonies AU-UN Special Representative for Darfur and the from women, including victims of sexual violence. Joint AU-UN Chief Mediator for Darfur.

Due to these efforts, the overall participation rate of Widening the democratic space women and children increased to nearly 40 per cent. u Establishment of an enabling environment By the end of its term, the DTRC had collected 72,483 conducive to dialogue and respect for human testimonies, 28,064 of which were from women and rights, including the implementation of peace 757 of which were given by children. agreements (EA 5) The members of the Darfur Regional Authority’s Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission were appointed and took an oath on 27 June. The Commission was established in line with article 58 of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur.

Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity u Establishment of frameworks, policies, mechanisms and initiatives to prevent and respond to human rights violations by State and non-State actors in the

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context of conflict, violence and insecurity (EA 3) United Nations Joint Human Rights Despite the acknowledgement by judicial Office in the Democratic Republic of the authorities of the need to eradicate gender-based Congo violence, judicial redress for sexual and gender- based violence remains inadequate across Darfur Year established 1996 (as a stand- states. Out of 71 cases reported to governmental alone office) and 2008 authorities, only 24 were investigated which led (integration with the to 19 arrests and 4 trials. Following sustained Human Rights Division of DPKO) advocacy by the Human Rights Section (HRS) of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Staff as of 31 December 2014 110 Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), the West Darfur Minister of Social Affairs issued a decree on 11 February establishing a High Committee to Results Support Homeless Children. Furthermore, a State Committee on Gender-Based Violence for Strengthening international human rights East Darfur was established by the Governor, in mechanisms line with similar structures in place in the four uu Timely submission of reports to treaty bodies and other states of Darfur. As a result of engagement the Universal Periodic Review (EA 6) between community leaders of internally The State reports for the Universal Periodic displaced persons (IDPs) at the Kalma, Kass, Review and the Human Rights Committee Manawashe and Mershing IDP camps in South were drafted in 2014. The UPR report was Darfur, there has been increased cooperation submitted on time and the report for the Human between IDP community leaders and UNAMID. Rights Committee is pending approval of the This has in turn helped UNAMID diffuse tensions Government before being submitted. For the between IDPs and governmental authorities. elaboration of the two reports, the United Nations uu Human rights considerations are integrated Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic into the policies and programmes of the United Republic of the Congo (UNJHRO) provided Nations Country Team in Darfur with respect to technical support and financial assistance. humanitarian action, early recovery and security (EA 11) Combating impunity and strengthening The HRS carried out various activities in accountability and the rule of law cooperation with UN agencies which contributed uu Increased number of convictions for human rights to mainstreaming human rights into the work violations referring to international human rights of the UNCT. To enhance the capacity of UN law (EA 1) personnel to monitor and report on cases of During the period from January to December, conflict-related sexual violence and to foster UNJHRO reported a total of 225 convictions for coordination between UNAMID and the UNCT human rights violations in all 11 provinces of the on preventing and addressing conflict-related DRC. In the absence of a comprehensive national sexual violence, the HRS conducted a three-day judicial data reporting system, UNJHRO monitors training for 14 United Nations personnel from and reports, on a monthly basis, on judicial 27 to 29 May. activity, including convictions of State agents and members of armed groups who are convicted of crimes related to violations of human rights or humanitarian law. A substantial number of these convictions result from UNJHRO’s advocacy at provincial levels with military prosecutors to open judicial investigations after violations are reported to UNJHRO. UNJHRO shared information on cases with prosecutors, supported judicial investigations or the holding of court hearings and monitored the investigations and trials. uu Development of a nationally-owned holistic framework for transitional justice (EA 3) In May, the Minister of Justice presented

© UNAMID/Albert González Farran legislation to the Parliament that attempted The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan to address some of the challenges relating to visits a prison in Zalingei, Central Darfur, as part of his official visit a lack of independence within the country’s to Sudan.

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Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity uu Increased number of human rights violations cases investigated and brought to justice by Joint Investigation Teams (EA 3) In 2014, the UNJHRO supported the work of nine Joint Investigation Teams and two mobile court hearings for grave human rights violations. The human rights violations that were investigated and tried included war crimes, crimes against humanity, murder and sexual violence, including rape and torture. Three additional Joint Teams and two mobile court hearings are in advanced planning stages and will be implemented in early 2015.

United Nations Peacebuilding Support © MONUSCO Office in Guinea-Bissau Trial of senior officers of the Congolese armed forces in the village of Kalehe, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Year established 1999 (as the Human Rights Section of UNOGBIS; as an military justice system by transferring jurisdiction integrated mission since for grave crimes committed during conflict 2010) to the Specialized Chambers of the Court of Staff as of 31 December 2014 13 Appeal. The Bill, however, was rejected by the Parliament, as it was in 2011. To promote support for improved measures of accountability Results for grave crimes, each of the UNJHRO field offices in Goma, Bukavu, Lubumbashi, Bunia Strengthening international human rights and Kisangani organized one-day workshops mechanisms in June and July to sensitize civil society uu At least four additional core international organizations in eastern DRC about reform instruments, including optional protocols, are proposals in the area of transitional justice. ratified (EA 2) The workshops were designed to inform civil The transitional authorities were committed to society organizations in the regions most affected the ratification of all outstanding conventions and by conflict so that they would be empowered optional protocols by the end of 2014, however, to advocate with Members of Parliament from the election process and installation of the new their regions on the importance of the proposed Government diverted the attention of national reforms. Following the workshops, participants actors to other priorities. Nevertheless, the from all five regions issued collective letters to Government ratified the Convention on the Rights their regional parliamentarians. of Persons with Disabilities in February and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights Widening the democratic space of the Child on the involvement of children in uu Adoption of the draft bill for the protection of armed conflict in September. human rights defenders and establishment of five uu Positive response to requests of special procedures functional protection networks operating at the mandate-holders to visit the country (EA 6) provincial and national levels (EA 3) The Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and One new human rights protection network human rights visited the country from February was established in Kalemie, Katanga province, to March and made very specific and targeted however, a second one was not as a result of recommendations, particularly with regard to the unavailability of resources. In addition, the increasing women’s economic, social and political protection strategy, programmes and activities of participation. all the networks were reviewed, together with local and international partners, with a focus on Combating impunity and strengthening enhancing their efficiency and empowering them accountability and the rule of law to become autonomous. uu Human rights are an integral part of the training programmes of the Bar Association, refresher

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courses for judges and recruitment training for women) took part in the training workshops that security forces (army and police) and corrections were organized by the HRS. As a result of the personnel (EA 1) training and mentoring provided, focal points The Human Rights Section (HRS) of the United in Bafata and Sao Domingos were better able to Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in identify human rights violations and felt confident Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) conducted a technical reporting them to the HRS. review of the draft Internal Procedures of the Ministry of Justice. Following the review, the Internal Procedures were validated by the Ministry United Nations Mission in Liberia in December. Additionally, the Human Rights Year established 2003 Training of Trainers Guide for the Armed Forces, Staff as of 31 December 2014 15 prepared by the HRS in consultation with the armed forces, was validated by the Ministry of Defence. It is currently being printed. uu An international commission of inquiry Results established to investigate past gross human rights violations (EA 10) Strengthening international human rights Given the concerns regarding the progress mechanisms made in the fight against impunity, the HRS uu Establishment and functioning of a national body continued strengthening its advocacy work to coordinate human rights treaty body reporting. through meetings with ministerial focal points Identify and invite special procedures mandate- and trainings in December with newly elected holders and ensure systematic follow-up of treaty Members of Parliament to share information about and Universal Periodic Review recommendations the international legal parameters related to the (EA 6) granting of amnesties. In an attempt to establish a sustainable mechanism for the fulfilment of treaty body obligations, Integrating human rights in development and in the Ministry of Justice collaborated with other the economic sphere ministries, the Independent National Commission uu Improved participation of marginalized on Human Rights (INCHR) and civil society and vulnerable groups in the design and organizations and drafted a national strategy, in implementation of programmes and policies March, on treaty obligations. The strategy seeks relating to poverty reduction and more to establish a Government-led coordination specifically, education and health (EA 5) mechanism that will systematically focus on Throughout 2013 and at the beginning of 2014, international human rights obligations, including an increase in human rights violations was ratification, reporting and implementation of reported in relation to logging, including land recommendations made by international human expropriation, threats, intimidation and violence rights mechanisms. The strategy is pending against land owners, deprivation of the means Cabinet’s approval. The Human Rights and of subsistence and unsafe work practices. In Protection Section (HRPS) of the United Nations response to these claims, the HRS coordinated Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), provided technical with UNDP, civil society and NGOs to undertake advice during the drafting process and facilitated monitoring missions to affected regions, engaged working sessions with State partners, INCHR with community members and advocated with and civil society actors to improve coordination relevant actors, particularly regional governors. on treaty body reporting and follow-up to UPR The Government issued a moratorium on recommendations. logging and undertook to review and regulate the exploitation of natural resources, with an Enhancing equality and countering emphasis on community consultation. discrimination uu Indicators to monitor the participation of women Widening the democratic space and persons with disabilities used in key sectors uu A nationwide human rights network established (EA 5) and fully functioning (EA 5) OHCHR contributed to the development of The identification and training of human rights the national strategy for the implementation of focal points, which began in 2013, continued in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with 2014 and resulted in the creation of a nationwide Disabilities and its related monitoring tool, network. A total of 60 human rights activists indicators and scorecards. Technical assistance and civil society members (22 of whom were was also provided to the Human Rights and

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A human rights officer facilitating a training session on the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy to staff of UNPOL and the Liberia National Police.

Disability Task Force for the roll out and 2013-2017. The HRPS contributed to these results monitoring of the strategy. by providing technical assistance to the UN Inter- Agency Programming Team and advocating for Combating impunity and strengthening the integration of human rights into the work of accountability and the rule of law UN agencies and UNMIL. u Constitutional amendments provide greater protection for a wide range of human rights and Widening the democratic space strengthened protection against discrimination u Ministry of Education/UNICEF transformative and commitment to genuine equality (EA 1) education programme fully incorporates lessons A forum for civil society and INCHR learned and strengthens its human rights representatives, organized with the support of component (EA 1) the HRPS, took place to discuss the potential Some progress was achieved in this area with, for consideration of a human rights agenda in the instance, the strengthening of human rights clubs constitutional review process. Further to this event, in schools through joint efforts undertaken by a document was submitted to the Government with OHCHR, INCHR and civil society. The education 25 recommendations regarding the integration of sector, however, was seriously affected by the human rights in the review process and a content Ebola crisis and schools remained closed from analysis of the Constitution. HRPS is working with June onwards. As a result, no significant activities the INCHR to advocate for the inclusion of the could be carried out. recommendations in the final document. u The National Human Rights Commission increases its compliance with international human rights Integrating human rights in development and in standards (EA 1) the economic sphere In deploying 11 additional monitors, the INCHR u One Programme periodic and final reviews increased its outreach from five to eight counties. indicate that human rights have been HRPS engaged with the INCHR in joint human mainstreamed in the majority of UN programmes rights monitoring, education and advocacy. In and are based on a human rights friendly addition, the INCHR participated in the Steering monitoring and evaluation framework (EA 11) Committee of the National Human Rights Action UN programmes and reports progressively Plan which monitored the implementation of incorporated human rights standards and the Plan and agreed with the National Council principles and a human rights-based approach of Civil Society Organizations to conduct regular was integrated as a cross-cutting principle in meetings to discuss pertinent human rights issues. the monitoring and evaluation framework of Despite these positive developments, the INCHR the United Nations Development Assistance has not functioned in an optimal manner due to Framework (UNDAF)/One Programme its inadequate resources, the lack of a strategic

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plan and delays in establishing a human rights United Nations Multidimensional complaint mechanism, among other limitations. Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali

Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity Year established 2013 uu Effective sexual and gender-based violence and Staff as of 31 December 2014 68 female genital mutilation prevention strategy with impact assessment tools is in place. The reform of the traditional justice system ensures its full Results compliance with human rights (EA 1) The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a guideline Strengthening international human rights condemning all forms of forcible initiation into mechanisms secret society, noting instead the need to “uphold uu An interministerial participatory standing and protect the rights of citizens and to move and national coordinating body on reporting/replying live freely.” Throughout 2014, HRPS advocated to individual communications and enquiries is in with State authorities for the reform of the justice place and a plan of action on Universal Periodic system to bring it in line with international Review recommendations is elaborated and standards. implemented (EA 6) uu Substantial integration of UN human rights policy During 2014, the Human Rights Division (HRD) and tools into the work of all UNMIL components of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated (EA 11) Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) In relation to the Human Rights Due Diligence advocated with authorities, civil society and other Policy on United Nations support to non-United relevant actors on the necessity of implementing Nations security forces and following the work Universal Periodic Review recommendations. of HRPS, a standard operating procedure was The authorities have taken no action since Mali’s finalized in April and was included as part of second UPR review in 2013. Although a pilot UPR the induction training of UNMIL security forces. Committee was established in 2013 under the HRPS also engaged with the UNCT to sensitize Ministry of Justice to work on UPR reports, the approximately 200 UN staff members working Committee remains inactive. The HRD intends in various UN agencies on the Human Rights Up to work with the Ministry to reactivate the Front (HRUF) initiative. Committee and promote the follow-up to UPR In the context of the Ebola crisis, OHCHR led the recommendations. Protection Cluster established in Liberia as part of In August, the HRD organized a workshop aimed the UN response to the crisis. The Cluster brought at increasing the capacity of the interministerial together representatives of the Government, the committee in charge of drafting reports for the treaty UN, civil society and other partners to discuss bodies. Following the training and supplementary protection issues which helped to identify technical advice provided by the HRD, the gaps and mobilize resources in a coordinated Government is in the final stages of drafting its manner. Protection working groups were also overdue reports to the Committee on Economic, established in all counties in Liberia, involving all Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the humanitarian partners in the respective counties. Elimination of Racial Discrimination. © MINUSMA/Marco Dormino Ceremony for victims of torture and sexual violence organized in Gao, Mali, by a local NGO in collaboration with the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and the Human Rights Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.

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uu Positive responses to requests for country visits prohibited conduct and legal responsibility arising from special procedures mandate-holders (EA 6) from violations. In 2014, the Independent Expert on the human uu Integration of human rights policies and tools into rights situation in Mali carried out two visits to UN responses to humanitarian crises, especially the country (February and October). During the the Protection Working Group and the Protection visits, the Independent Expert was able to travel Cluster (EA 11) to the regions affected by the conflict and met The United Nations Development Assistance with high-level authorities, including the President Framework 2015-2019 is grounded in human of Mali and line ministries, the National Human rights-based language and the HRD actively Rights Commission, civil society organizations and participated in the drafting process. victims of human rights violations. uu The Human Rights Due Diligence Policy is effectively implemented by MINUSMA (EA 11) Combating impunity and strengthening As a result of the technical and advocacy work accountability and the rule of law conducted by the HRD in December, MINUSMA uu A credible and independent truth and adopted standard operating procedures (SOP) reconciliation commission is functioning, to implement the Human Rights Due Diligence like other transitional justice mechanisms, in Policy in relation to MINUSMA’s support to non- compliance with international standards (EA 3) UN security forces. The SOP draws on the risk In March, the Malian State established a Truth, assessment conducted by the HRD in cooperation Justice and Reconciliation Commission. The with protection actors. The HRD also mainstreamed mandate of the Commission addresses some of the policy into other MINUSMA programmes and the gaps identified by the HRD with respect to the mechanisms, including agreements with the Malian previous transitional justice body, although it does State in the area of security sector as well as peace not fully meet international standards. Modest and confidence building projects. The HRDDP progress was achieved in terms of the functioning is now also part of the induction package for all of the institution, primarily due to the ongoing military and civilian staff. peace negotiations. The HRD provided inputs regarding the definition of the mandate and advocated for its establishment and functioning in United Nations Assistance Mission in line with international standards. Somalia Prosecution of the human rights violations Year established 2013 committed in the course of the conflict remained Staff as of 31 December 2014 20 slow and most cases are still at the preliminary investigation phase. The HRD closely monitored these cases and the situation of conflict-related detainees. Results

Early warning and protection of human rights Strengthening international human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity mechanisms uu The number of sexual and gender-based uu The national report for the second cycle of the violence cases brought to the attention of judicial Universal Periodic Review is submitted on time authorities and effectively processed by judicial (EA 6) authorities is doubled (EA 1) Progress was made in enhancing the capacity Although several complaints related to sexual of the Government, national human rights and gender-based violence have been filed institutions and civil society actors to contribute to with the justice system, no case has reached the the implementation of Universal Periodic Review stage of sentencing. Through monitoring and recommendations and the preparation of the regular reporting on human rights violations, second cycle report. Through the organization the HRD advocated with national authorities of a series of workshops, the Human Rights for the prosecution of alleged perpetrators. The Section (HRS) of the United Nations Assistance HRD also cooperated with national organizations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) provided support to establish a trust fund to enable victims to and guidance to stakeholders on their reporting participate in legal proceedings. In addition, the obligations under the UPR. For instance, the HRD worked with other parts of MINUSMA and HRS provided technical support to the Ministry the United Nations Country Team to carry out of Human Rights and Women’s Affairs for the a number of activities and seminars for parties finalization of the Human Rights Road Map to the conflict in order to sensitize them about and held a stakeholder consultation workshop

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in November. The outcome of the workshop contributed to the process of documenting the UPR recommendations that have been implemented and identifying steps needed to advance the implementation of the remaining recommendations. The HRS provided technical support to the Government to draft the related action plan which will support the process leading up to the Government’s submission of its second UPR report.

Widening the democratic space uu Legislation for the establishment of a NHRI and on the media adopted in compliance with human rights standards (EA 1) © UN Abukar Photo/Ilyas A. Participants at the national consultation workshop on the Post- The Human Rights Commission Bill was submitted transition Human Rights Road Map for Somalia facilitated by the to Parliament in early December and later that United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, November 2014. month it was returned to the Committee on Human Rights and Women’s Rights after passing a second reading. Some of the amended provisions Early warning and protection of human rights are inconsistent with the Paris Principles and in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity could compromise the independence of the uu Human rights are included in the standard Commission, particularly in the areas of financial training of African Union Mission in Somalia autonomy and procedures for the appointment (AMISOM) Security Forces (EA 10) of Commissioners. The HRS provided consistent Important progress was made towards the input to the Ministry of Human Rights on the incorporation of human rights in the standard draft. On 27 November, the Puntland Office of the training of AMISOM. A comprehensive training Human Rights Defender (OHRD) was established, package for AMISOM was developed following following the appointment by Parliament of the the participation of the HRS in a three-day Human Rights Defender. Throughout 2014, the curriculum development workshop organized by HRS advocated for the establishment of the Office the United Nations Political Office for Somalia. and engaged with it once it was established. The In March, the AMISOM police component invited HRS also organized a forum with civil society to UNSOM to inform the in-country police training discuss the roles and responsibilities of the OHRD programme. As a result, throughout 2014, the HRS as well as possible opportunities for civil society facilitated 12 pre-deployment training sessions organizations to engage with it. for 540 AMISOM commanders. In addition, the HRS provided two in-country refresher training sessions for 386 AMISOM police officers. Moreover, the HRS trained 8,615 Somali national army officers who are expected to be part of the joint operations with AMISOM. uu Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions take into account human rights concerns (EA 10) The quarterly reports to the Security Council, as well as other UNSOM documents, are informed by human rights analysis. The HRS contributes to the development of the documents and consistently advocates for the inclusion of specific human rights language. The HRS also contributes human rights analysis to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Early Warning Reports and the Security Council’s Informal Expert Group on

© UN Photo Protection of Civilians. A human rights officer facilitating a workshop on human rights for members of the Somali National Army in Mogadishu, Somalia.

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United Nations Mission in South Sudan Year established 2011 Staff as of 31 December 2014 112

Results

Strengthening international human rights mechanisms uu Ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of © UN Photo/JC McIlwaine Discrimination against Women, the Convention A school at the protection of civilians site of the United Nations on the Rights of the Child, the International Mission in South Sudan in Juba. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the African Charter on violations have been investigated and publicly Human and Peoples’ Rights and their related reported by the Human Right Division (HRD) of protocols, without reservations, including the the United Nations Mission in the Republic of Second Optional Protocol to the International South Sudan (UNMISS). Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at uu Participation of civil society organizations, the abolition of the death penalty (EA 2) women, youth, persons with disabilities and faith- The National Legislative Assembly adopted the based groups in the constitutional and law review ratification bills and the President signed the processes (EA 5) accession to the Convention against Torture and The Constitutional review process did not take Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment place as planned due to the ongoing crisis. The or Punishment; the Convention on the Rights HRD nevertheless contributed to the increased of the Child and its Optional Protocols on the awareness of the general public about their rights involvement of children in armed conflict and on through community outreach activities, including the sale of children, child prostitution and child International Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism pornography; the Convention on the Elimination against Gender-Based Violence and International of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Human Rights Day. (CEDAW) and its Optional Protocol; and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Combating impunity and strengthening Rights. Since the instruments of accession for accountability and the rule of law these treaties have not been deposited with the uu Human rights included in academies for the Secretary-General, they cannot be considered as judiciary, military, police and prison staff (EA 1) acceded to/ratified by South Sudan. Limited progress was achieved in relation to this uu Common core document and at least two initial expected result due to the crisis that erupted reports submitted (EA 6) in South Sudan at the end of 2013. In addition, As the international human rights instruments the new mandate of the HRD required the were not ratified, no State Party reports were reprioritization of its activities. submitted. Integrating human rights in development and in Enhancing equality and countering the economic sphere discrimination uu The Constitution, laws and polices increasingly uu Legislation, policies and practices increasingly comply with human rights standards in relation comply with anti-discrimination and equality to development, especially in the context of standards (EA 4) the exploitation of natural resources and the Women and girls in South Sudan continue to face application of non-discrimination and gender discrimination and abuse, including domestic equality to land and housing rights (EA 1) violence, forced marriages and sexual violence. No progress was achieved in relation to this In spite of the Government’s stated commitment expected result due to the crisis that erupted to the empowerment of women, discrimination in South Sudan at the end of 2013. In addition, remains endemic and widespread as they are the new mandate of the HRD required the routinely deprived of their basic rights. These reprioritization of its activities.

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uu Human rights principles form the bedrock of that erupted in December 2013. The SSHRC did, the United Nations Development Assistance however, conduct field missions to the states in Framework; UN guidelines on incorporating order to monitor and investigate human rights human rights-based approaches have been violations. By mid-2014, the SSHRC managed to applied by at least three UN entities in their reopen some of its field offices, such as in Jonglei specific programmes; and an inter-agency human and Central Equatoria. In March, the Commission rights theme group on land issues is in place and released a public report on the internal conflict in functioning (EA 11) South Sudan that began on 15 December 2013. UNMISS and the United Nations Country Team worked closely on areas of common Early warning and protection of human rights priority, notably conflict prevention, peace and in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity reconciliation. A United Nations-wide effort uu The Constitution, laws and polices increasingly was initiated to lay the foundations for durable comply with human rights standards in relation to solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) the justice system, namely the Criminal Procedure and returning refugees. In this regard, UNMISS Law; the police and security laws; instructions, is working to ensure that the necessary security directives and codes of conduct for the army, the conditions are in place and the UNCT is supporting police, prisons and the judiciary; juvenile justice the planning capacity of Government institutions and legal aid (EA 1) for the return and reintegration of IDPs, including There is no evidence of laws or policies put in place by setting up national information management to increase human rights protection in situations systems related to IDP profiling. UNMISS also of violence and insecurity. On the contrary, the established mechanisms to monitor and ensure that severity of the crisis that erupted in December 2013 all activities are carried out in compliance with the demonstrates the Government’s lack of capacity to UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy. protect human rights in such situations. uu State institutions increasingly engage in conflict Widening the democratic space prevention, conflict mitigation/reconciliation and uu The Constitution, laws and polices increasingly violence reduction. Measures are taken to provide for comply with human rights standards in relation redress for serious human rights violations (EA 1) to freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful Limited progress was achieved in relation to this assembly, association, conscience, religion expected result. Since 15 December 2013, South and belief, decriminalization of all forms of Sudan has been fully immersed in a severe crisis defamation and prohibition of incitement to triggered by an internal political conflict within hatred (EA 1) the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. The Media Bills, in overall compliance with The conflict resulted in the loss of thousands of international standards, were adopted by innocent lives, the destruction of major towns Parliament in 2013 and promulgated into laws and the displacement of more than one million in October 2014. The continued existence of people. State institutions are partially disintegrated criminal sanctions in the Penal Code Act of 2008, and their legitimacy is being eroded by the however, and the passage of the National Security human rights violations allegedly committed by Service Bill in 2014, yet to be endorsed by the their personnel. President, somewhat compromise the realization uu Oversight bodies and accountability mechanisms of freedom of expression and the development of established or strengthened for the army, the police South Sudan’s media. and prisons (EA 3) uu Human rights included in the curricula of formal No tangible accountability measures were education (EA 1) observed to address the human rights violations Limited progress was achieved in relation to this committed in connection with the 2013 conflict. expected result due to the crisis that erupted In January 2014, the President appointed a in South Sudan at the end of 2013. In addition, Human Rights Investigation Committee to the new mandate of the HRD required the investigate human rights abuses allegedly reprioritization of its activities. committed by security agents and opposition uu A South Sudan Human Rights Commission, forces. Although the HRD was informed that accredited to the International Coordinating the work of the Committee was complete and Committee, with 10 state offices and effectively that its findings were presented to the President monitoring human rights violations (EA 1) on 2 December, its results are still unknown. In The South Sudan Human Rights Commission relation to violations of international humanitarian (SSHRC) was not accredited and its operations and human rights law committed by non-State were interrupted in all 10 states due to the conflict actors, neither the Government nor these actors

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made significant efforts to identify or hold human rights instruments is operational and half accountable those responsible for the violations. of Chad’s overdue reports are submitted (EA 6) The lack of accountability from national actors The Human Rights Adviser (HRA) supported the further reinforces the need for international Interministerial Committee on the elaboration of accountability measures. One important step in reports to the treaties bodies, although limited this regard was taken through the establishment progress was made due to the restructuring of the of the African Union Commission of Inquiry Ministry of Justice. The HRA’s support primarily on South Sudan, which completed its work focused on providing training to Committee in September and presented its report to the members regarding the drafting of reports under African Union’s Peace and Security Council in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. October. UNMISS frequently liaised with the uu Civil society organizations increasingly submit Government and opposition leadership in relation alternative reports to UN and regional human to accountability measures. rights mechanisms (EA 7) In 2014, several civil society organizations collaborated and submitted a joint report to the Human Rights Advisers in United Human Rights Committee, with the technical support of the HRA. Nations Country Teams Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law uu Cases submitted to the National Human Rights Chad Commission, including on land issues, are Year established 2011 increasingly addressed (EA 1) The Government and the UN Resident Staff as of 31 December 2014 3 Coordinator agreed to adopt a road map to establish a national human rights commission. The HRA supported the Resident Coordinator in Results its engagement with national authorities on this issue. Strengthening international human rights uu National prosecutions of the alleged perpetrators of mechanisms international crimes under Hissène Habré's ruling uu The Interministerial Committee on the elaboration are conducted in compliance with international of reports under the international and regional human rights standards and a rights-based victims' © UNHCR/Corentin Fohlen Women at a refugee camp in Chad.

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reparation programme is functioning (EA 3) Combating impunity and strengthening In April, the Extraordinary African Chambers in accountability and the rule of law the Courts of Senegal, responsible for judging uu Adoption of benchmark tools for the Hissene Habré’s case, decided to extend the implementation of the Judiciary Transformation investigations for a period of eight months. Framework (EA 1) OHCHR is following up on the developments The Office collaborated with the Kenya School related to this case. of Law to develop a curriculum on economic, social and cultural rights for State officers in Integrating human rights in development and in order to address the recognized challenges in the economic sphere implementing these rights. uu Recommendations issued by the international human rights mechanisms are integrated into the Integrating human rights in development and in programmes and activities of UN agencies (EA 11) the economic sphere Recommendations issued by the international uu Legal and policy framework on exploitation of human rights mechanisms in relation to Chad natural resources is anchored in human rights were integrated into the operational plans of law and guiding principles on human rights and the United Nations Country Team for 2014-2015. business (EA 1) In addition, the Protection Cluster decided In 2014, the Parliament passed a Mining Bill that to follow-up on the implementation of some is compliant with human rights standards. OHCHR recommendations issued by the Universal Periodic advocated for the integration of human rights due Review. Finally, the HRA disseminated the diligence to promote respect for human rights recommendations within the UNCT and facilitated and ensure that the law conforms to Article 20 training sessions for its members on the human of the Constitution and international standards, rights-based approach. including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Office also advocated for the organization of public consultations with key stakeholders during the drafting of the law, Kenya including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and civil society organizations. Year established 2008 uu Increased integration of a human rights- Staff as of 31 December 2014 4 based approach in the design, planning and implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2014-2018, including use Results of Universal Periodic Review/treaty body/special procedures recommendations in the programming Strengthening international human rights of United Nations Country Team partners (EA 11) mechanisms A fully human rights-compliant United Nations uu An effective and efficient participatory standing Development Assistance Framework document national coordinating body on reporting/replying was adopted in March. The document makes to individual communications and enquiries and reference to Kenya’s international human rights integrated follow-up to recommendations of all obligations and acknowledges the need to focus human rights mechanisms is in place (EA 6) on the rights of women, children and vulnerable OHCHR contributed to building the capacity of and marginalized groups. OHCHR actively the participatory standing national coordinating participated in the conceptualization, drafting, body on integrating the recommendations of all validation and final adoption of the document. human rights mechanisms in the context of the The Office also played a key role in the reorganization of the body and the arrival of new development of the monitoring framework for the members. Part of this capacity-building focused on UNDAF and is the focal point for monitoring and its roles and responsibilities in ensuring that the evaluation within the Governance Pillar. Government complies with its international human rights obligations. Participants also received training Widening the democratic space in relation to the preparation of the State Party uu Adoption of human rights-compliant legal report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial frameworks for public participation to protect Discrimination which will be submitted in 2015. human rights defenders (EA 1) A concept note setting out guidelines for the development of a Policy on Public Participation, including human rights approaches, was

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developed by a Steering Committee which included representatives from the Department of Developing human rights indicators in Kenya Justice, the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution, the Transition Authority, As part of its efforts to fulfil its human rights the Kenya Law Reform Commission, UNDP and obligations, the Government of Kenya, through the OHCHR. The Office also supported a meeting Ministry of Devolution and Planning, was developing organized by the Department of Justice to get and reviewing the draft second national indicators feedback on the draft from various stakeholders, handbook. The draft handbook listed five sets of including civil society, constitutional commissions, indicators, including national, county and flagship Parliament, ministries and the UN. In addition, indicators. The human rights and gender indicators OHCHR supported a forum for civil society were developed separately as the understanding was organizations on the Policy on Public Participation that they were stand-alone indicators. with the objective of ensuring their effective participation in the development of the policy. At the request of the United Nations Country Team, The Office also partnered with the Kenya National the Human Rights Adviser engaged with UN Women Commission on Human Rights and the National and government counterparts to ensure that the final Coalition for Human Rights Defenders with regard draft complied with international standards. Following to the development of an appropriate protection training and technical support provided by the Adviser mechanism for human rights defenders. and UN Women, the final version of the handbook u The Ministry of Education adopts a comprehensive mainstreamed human rights and gender throughout the human rights education policy in formal indicators and no longer depicted them as stand-alone education and five pilot public universities indicators. The handbook was officially launched in incorporate human rights programmes in their November 2014. curricula (EA 1) The Office worked with two public universities in Kenya for the inclusion of human rights in their curricula. A Memorandum of Understanding was Madagascar signed between the University of Nairobi and Year established 2011 OHCHR to promote the collaboration between Staff as of 31 December 2014 2 the two institutions. A human rights course was developed through a workshop facilitated by OHCHR, was approved by the Faculty Curriculum Results Committee and is now pending Senate approval. With regard to Egerton University, following Strengthening international human rights earlier discussions on the introduction of human mechanisms rights education into the curriculum, Senate u Ratification of the Convention on the Rights approval was secured and a human rights class of Persons with Disabilities, the International was introduced as a common course for all Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All undergraduate students in the academic year Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families 2014. OHCHR supported a workshop at which and the optional protocols of the International 25 course lecturers enhanced their knowledge Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the of human rights as well as their teaching skills. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Additionally, a human rights teaching manual Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination was developed and printed with support from of All Forms of Discrimination against Women OHCHR. and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (EA 2) On 3 December, the National Assembly adopted legislation authorizing the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In the months leading to the adoption of the legislation, OHCHR intensified its advocacy activities with the Parliament and the Government to highlight the importance of ratifying the remaining core human rights instruments, including the CRPD.

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Combating impunity and strengthening uu Increased participation of rights-holders in the accountability and the rule of law development of programming and budgeting uu Security forces and prison wardens increase their processes, especially in the National Development compliance with international human rights Strategy (EA 5) standards (EA 1) At the request of the Ministry of Economy and OHCHR carried out a workshop on the revision Planning, OHCHR supported the Government in of the 2008 law on torture with the participation integrating human rights and gender perspectives of representatives from the Ministry of Justice, into the draft National Development Strategy and judiciary, police, gendarmerie, academia and civil also trained members of the drafting committee society organizations. At the end of the event, on human rights standards. participants adopted a draft revised law against torture, reflecting the concluding observations and Widening the democratic space recommendations made by the Committee against uu Media code of conduct adopted and improved Torture and the Universal Periodic Review. compliance of State agents with human rights Additionally, on 10 December, the National standards related to public freedoms (EA 1) Assembly adopted the Law on the abolition of Following the organization of a number of the death penalty. This landmark legislation is the meetings and training activities, including a culmination of intensive sensitization and advocacy four-day workshop jointly organized by the activities undertaken by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Communication, OHCHR, UNDP, UNIC United Nations Country Team, OHCHR, civil society, and UNESCO, a draft media code was adopted NGOs and the international community. which integrates human rights principles and standards, including the decriminalization of Integrating human rights in development and in press-related offences. A steering committee was the economic sphere established to implement the chronogram for the uu Mining sector policy protecting human rights is adoption of the draft code by mid-2015. adopted (EA 1) uu Institutionalized human rights education In June, participants of an OHCHR workshop, programme in specialized institutions and higher including civil society organizations, members education institutions (EA 1) of the Government and representatives of A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the mining companies adopted a charter aimed at Human Rights Adviser, on behalf of the UN Resident better integrating human rights standards into Coordinator, and the General Commander of the sector-based policies. OHCHR also conducted Military Academy regarding the integration of human consultations and workshops with civil society rights modules into the curricula of the Academy. and community-based organizations in areas OHCHR, in cooperation with the UNCT, will provide impacted by the activities of mining companies. technical assistance and facilitate human rights In total, 75 participants (35 per cent of whom training sessions for military students and support were women) enhanced their knowledge and the creation of a human rights and peace resource expertise on international human rights principles centre within the Academy. and mechanisms. The meetings also provided an uu A national human rights institution is established opportunity for the gathering of information on and functioning and the Ombudsman’s Office is the human rights impact of mining activities. strengthened (EA 1) © OHCHR/Madagascar The Prime Minister of Madagascar, the Human Rights Adviser and other participants at the celebration of Human Rights Day sign a commitment to promote and protect human rights, December 2014.

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On 13 August, the President of the Republic common core document prepared in compliance promulgated the Law on the establishment of the with the reporting guidelines submitted to treaty Independent National Human Rights Commission bodies and the Universal Periodic Review (EA 6) (INHRC). OHCHR provided technical advice and The Human Rights Adviser advocated for the assistance during the drafting process to ensure establishment of an interministerial committee its compliance with international standards and to focus on reporting obligations and follow up also advocated for its adoption. On 27 November, to recommendations made by the UN human the 2015 financial law and budget were approved rights mechanisms during its meetings with the and OHCHR noted the absence of financial Solicitor General and the Malawi Human Rights allocations for the INHRC. On OHCHR’s advice, Commission (MHRC). In September, the HRA the Government committed to allocating a budget drafted a table of clustered recommendations line for the INHRC in the amended financial law issued by the UN human rights mechanisms in of March 2015. In relation to the Ombudsman’s relation to Malawi and shared the table with the Office, OHCHR organized a human rights workshop MHRC and the Ministry of Justice. for staff members on human rights principles, the The Government submitted its State Party national, regional and international mechanisms for report to the Committee on the Elimination of the protection of human rights and the role of the Discrimination against Women in early 2014, its Ombudsman in promoting human rights. formal response to the Human Rights Committee list of issues in June and its national Universal Early warning and protection of human rights Periodic Review report in September. The HRA in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity participated in a validation meeting on the uu Legal frameworks, public policies and institutions Government’s draft report to the Committee are in place and functioning to combat all forms on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in of human exploitation, including trafficking and November and provided advice on the report’s sexual and gender-based violence (EA 1) compliance with the Committee’s reporting Following intensive advocacy, training and guidelines. sensitization activities undertaken by OHCHR, IOM, uu Increased engagement of civil society actors and UNICEF, UNFPA and UNDP, a law against trafficking national human rights institutions with the UPR in persons was adopted in December. The legislation and treaty bodies (EA 7) provides protection for victims of human trafficking, Eleven NGOs submitted reports and information punishment of perpetrators and State responsibility to the Human Rights Committee in relation to with regard to the right of victims to compensation. the list of issues and the review of Malawi’s State The Office also participated in a workshop that was party report in July. organized by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Justice to draft a national action plan Enhancing equality and countering to fight against human trafficking. An action plan discrimination and a chronogram were adopted at the end of the uu Legislative framework and policies incorporate workshop. international human rights standards in relation to discrimination (EA 4) The Gender Equality Act, which entered into force in April, translates constitutional provisions and CEDAW commitments into domestic Malawi legislation. In addition, Malawi’s abortion law Year established 2014 and the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act are under review. The HRA advocated for the Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 enactment of the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management Bill, including in meetings with the Law Commissioner and the MHRC. Results Integrating human rights in development and in Strengthening international human rights the economic sphere mechanisms uu The United Nations Development Assistance uu Interministerial participatory standing national Framework midterm review, the new United coordinating body on reporting/replying to Nations Development Assistance Framework and individual communications and enquiries; other UN joint programmes incorporate a human integrated follow-up to recommendations of all rights-based approach (EA 11) human rights mechanisms established and reports/ Human rights were increasingly integrated

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into the work of UN agencies and the UN’s capacity to advocate for respect for human rights was strengthened by the efforts of the UN Human Rights Working Group, led by the HRA. The Adviser also led the preparation of a Joint Annual Work Plan for 2015 between the MHRC and six UN agencies, which was signed on 16 December. In addition, the UN established a five-year right to food project integrating recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food. Human rights were integrated into elements of a joint programme on Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health in Malawi, in conjunction with UNFPA. The aim of the programme is to follow up on a national assessment of sexual, reproductive, maternal and child health in Malawi, the legal and policy environment, existing initiatives, identified gaps and the obstacles to and opportunities for realizing these rights. Following the UN’s advocacy, including a meeting between the United Nations Country Team and the Speaker of Parliament and the preparation of a comprehensive briefing note by the HRA, a Parliamentary Human Rights Committee was established in September. © EC/ECHO/Jean De Lestrange Niger Children in a refugee camp in Niger. Year established 2008 report under the African Charter on Human and Staff as of 31 December 2014 - (The field presence Peoples’ Rights and approved its initial report closed in 2014) under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Results or Punishment. Several other reports are being finalized, including the periodic reports to the Strengthening international human rights Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination mechanisms against Women, the Committee on the Rights of uu At least one international human rights treaty and the Child and the Committee on the Rights of two optional protocols ratified (EA 2) Persons with Disabilities. During 2014, the Government of Niger uu Pending visits of Special Rapporteurs to take place approved the draft laws for the ratification of the (EA 6) Second Optional Protocol to the International In 2014, following an invitation extended by Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming the Government, the Special Rapporteur on at the abolition of the death penalty and the contemporary forms of slavery, including its International Convention for the Protection of All causes and consequences, visited Niger from 11 to Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The two 21 November. During the mission, the Special bills were forwarded to the National Assembly Rapporteur met with authorities, UN agencies, for their adoption. OHCHR, in partnership judges, religious leaders, women’s associations, with UNDP, civil society organizations and the trade unions and civil society organizations. National Human Rights Commission, advocated The mission report will be presented to the for their adoption and Niger’s compliance with its Human Rights Council in September 2015. international human rights commitments. uu The United Nations Development Assistance uu Forty per cent of outstanding State Party reports Framework 2014-2018 fully integrates human are submitted to treaty bodies (EA 6) rights, including relevant recommendations from In 2014, Niger adopted and submitted its periodic human rights mechanisms (EA 11)

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The Human Rights Adviser contributed to the Nigeria drafting of the United Nations Development Year established 2014 Assistance Framework 2014-2018 and promoted the integration of human rights and gender Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 perspectives in the document. As a result, human rights were among the cross-cutting themes included in the UNDAF, which aims to contribute Results to the realization of human rights by supporting the implementation of recommendations issued Strengthening international human rights by the human rights mechanisms. mechanisms uu Participatory interministerial standing national Enhancing equality and countering coordinating body on reporting/replying to discrimination individual communications and enquiries; and uu National legislation to combat slavery and human integrated follow-up to recommendations of all trafficking is in full compliance with international human rights mechanisms re-activated and standards and a national plan of action to functioning and at least four reports submitted combat slavery and human trafficking is adopted to treaty bodies in full conformity with reporting (EA 4) guidelines (EA 6) Niger adopted a national action plan against The Interministerial Committee, in charge of human trafficking to be implemented by the coordinating State reporting and follow-up to National Agency for Combating Trafficking in recommendations of human rights mechanisms, Persons. The action plan is an important step was reactivated. The Human Rights Adviser in achieving the Government’s commitment to assisted the Government in preparing a proposal combat human trafficking and similar practices in for its reactivation and developing its work plan. Niger. Enhancing equality and countering Widening the democratic space discrimination uu The National Human Rights Commission uu National action plan against racism and implements its four-year plan for the period discrimination adopted (EA 1) 2014-2017 (EA 1) The HRA supported the development of Following a participatory and inclusive process, a national action plan against racism and the four-year strategic plan of the National discrimination during expert consultations. Human Rights Commission was adopted. Its validation and approval are pending. The plan includes components on the promotion and protection of human rights through the Early warning and protection of human rights establishment of regional branches of the in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity Commission; the promotion of a culture of peace uu Increased compliance of security agencies through the establishment of peace schools; and deployed in conflict zones with international the promotion and protection of the rights of human rights standards (EA 1) women and of vulnerable groups. National security agencies increasingly demonstrated their awareness of human rights Early warning and protection of human rights through improved responses to allegations in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity of human rights violations and by providing uu Human rights are mainstreamed into the information as appropriate. In addition, the humanitarian strategy documents and policies of HRA engaged with the Chief of Defence Staff the Consolidated Appeals Process for Niger and the at Defence Headquarters to develop a code of Protection Cluster Action Plan (EA 11) conduct for security operations and revise the Human rights were included as cross-cutting code of conduct for internal operations to ensure issues in the Consolidated Appeals Process and their conformity with international standards. the Protection Cluster Action Plan. The Human uu Institutionalization of human rights training for Rights Adviser contributed to the development of the armed forces and security agencies, especially both documents and advocated for the integration those involved in operations in the north-east (EA 1) of human rights. The HRA designed a forum between the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Defence College (NDC) at which they developed a curriculum and manual for the training of security personnel working in internal

180 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: AFRICA © UNHCR/H. Caux Nigerian refugee girls at a school in Bosso, Niger.

security operations. The integration of the mechanism on children and armed conflict; and human rights modules complements the existing the Protection Cluster in the development of a standard training curriculum of the Defence protection strategy. Academy. These programmes are expected to improve the knowledge and capacity of security personnel on human rights issues, reduce their involvement in human rights violations and Rwanda enhance their response to violations committed Year established 2007 in the context of the counter-insurgency measures in the north-east. Staff as of 31 December 2014 2 uu Increased use of the National Human Rights Commission in the context of communal violence and potential conflict triggers (EA 5) Results Civil society organizations established a mechanism for the systematic monitoring of and Strengthening international human rights reporting on the human rights situation in the mechanisms north-east. This was due in part to the efforts uu The interministerial task force for treaty body and of the HRA to facilitate linkages between NHRC Universal Periodic Review recommendations is fully monitors and those deployed by civil society operational, appropriately staffed and charged with organizations. the preparation of periodic reports (EA 6) uu Increased application of rights-based In 2014, OHCHR engaged with the interministerial approaches by UN programmes addressing task force on several occasions, in particular violence, insecurity and conflict, including during the Universal Periodic Review reporting UNDP conflict prevention and national peace process and the visit of the Special Rapporteur on architecture projects, UN Women’s multi-year the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and programme and the United Nations Development of association. The Office also contributed to the Assistance Framework Action Plan and agency increased capacity of the task force by providing implementation programmes (EA 11) advice and training. UN agencies active in Nigeria integrated human rights into their programmes and interventions Combating impunity and strengthening with the HRA’s support and training, including, accountability and the rule of law for example, IOM in its migration policy; UNDP uu National courts increasingly invoke human rights in its election support programme and peace laws and principles in their proceedings and final and development initiatives; UNICEF in the decisions (EA 1) establishment of the monitoring and reporting Judges in three districts of Rwanda increased their

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knowledge on the application of international law Little progress was reported on this expected principles in domestic courts following training result due to the Ebola epidemic. The Human sessions facilitated by OHCHR. Similar trainings Rights Adviser nevertheless remained in regular will be implemented in other districts of the contact with the Director of the International country in 2015. Organizations and Legal Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is responsible Integrating human rights in development and in for the Ministry’s Human Rights Secretariat. The the economic sphere HRA consistently indicated OHCHR’s readiness uu Human rights-based approach introduced in at to provide support to the Secretariat in meeting least three major projects of the One UN Programme, its responsibilities under the Universal Periodic including a UNDP-led programme on environmental Review and it is envisaged that this work will protection and poverty reduction (EA 11) resume in 2015. Awareness among UN agencies and implementing partners of the human rights-based approach Integrating human rights in development and in increased following training sessions conducted the economic sphere by the HRA and the dissemination of information uu At least three UN programmes and policies, and on the approach to approximately 600 UN staff particularly the United Nations Development members in the country. Assistance Framework 2015, are informed by a human rights-based approach (EA 11) Widening the democratic space Due to the Ebola epidemic, the national UN uu National Commission for Human Rights carries system was instructed to suspend all activities, out an effective human rights education including development activities, and focus programme (EA 1) entirely on the Ebola response. Notwithstanding, The staff of the National Commission for Human through his active engagement with United Rights (NCHR) was trained by OHCHR on how Nations Country Team member agencies, the to conduct human rights education. Additionally, HRA promoted an understanding of human the Office collaborated with the United Nations rights standards and principles. The HRA also Country Team to support the NCHR in its contributed to the drafting of the UNCT’s first sensitization campaigns, including through press release in relation to a case of female sponsorship of newspaper articles featuring the genital mutilation in Sierra Leone. In addition, the Commission or providing support to a public HRA drafted a paper on the human rights aspects event in Bugesera, both of which contributed to of Ebola in order to inform UNCT members the increased knowledge of the population about about the range of human rights issues that are human rights and the role of the NCHR. implicated in the epidemic and encouraged the use of a human rights-based approach in their programmatic responses. As the Ebola epidemic unfolded, the HRA ensured that early warning indicators of violence were noted and discussed Sierra Leone in the UNCT meetings. Year established 2014 Staff as of 31 December 2014 1

Results

Strengthening international human rights mechanisms uu Establishment of a participatory standing national coordinating body on reporting/replying to individual communications and enquiries; and integrated follow-up to recommendations of all human rights mechanisms and submission of reports to treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review (EA 6) © UN Photo/Martine Perret An Ebola treatment centre in Magburaka, Sierra Leone.

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Widening the democratic space Enhancing equality and countering uu An active and effective network of human rights discrimination defenders advocates for and engages in the uu The justice system increasingly investigates and promotion and protection of human rights (EA 5) prosecutes crimes against people with albinism Together with the Human Rights Commission and survivors and their families are provided with of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), the HRA reactivated effective remedies, redress and rehabilitation (EA 1) the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) Improvements have been reported in the The HRWG is the only national forum bringing provision of legal assistance and access to together leading human rights defenders to justice for people with albinism. The Human discuss actual and emerging human rights Rights Adviser engaged on these issues with concerns and ensure consistent approaches. In the Office of the Attorney General, the Director relation to the Ebola outbreak, with the HRA’s of Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, the assistance, the HRWG identified priority areas Deputy Public Prosecutor, regional commissioners based on a human rights-based approach. As and the police. a result, the HRCSL priorities focused on the uu A national policy to prevent and protect against monitoring of quarantine areas, the use of force attacks and discrimination against persons by security forces, the rights of vulnerable groups, with albinism is in place, a national education access to justice and the protection of health and awareness-raising campaign to combat workers. The HRA also assisted the HRCSL in superstition and stigma vis-à-vis albinism has been providing appropriate secretariat support to the conducted and the Commission for Human Rights HRWG in order to enhance its sustainability. and Good Governance effectively monitors and reports on the human rights situation of persons with albinism (EA 4) Following discussions between OHCHR, the United Republic of Tanzania Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, the Tanzanian Albinism Society and Year established 2014 the NGO Under the Same Sun, the Commission Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 played a lead role in the organization of an outreach and media campaign regarding persons with albinism. With the support of the HRA, the Results Commission engaged with relevant governmental actors to ensure a holistic and comprehensive Strengthening international human rights approach to the subject. mechanisms uu Establishment of participatory standing national Integrating human rights in development and in coordinating bodies on reporting/replying to the economic sphere individual communications and enquiries; uu The evaluation of the United Nations Development and integrated follow-up to recommendations Assistance Plan and the design of the next One of all human rights mechanisms and reports Programme fully incorporates a human rights- submitted in conformity with reporting guidelines based approach (EA 11) to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial With the support of the HRA, the United Nations Discrimination, the Committee on the Elimination Country Team’s Inter-Agency Gender Group and of Discrimination against Women, the Committee the Interest Group for Culture and Development on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the prepared cross-cutting checklists to ensure that Human Rights Committee (EA 6) 10 programmes made reference to human rights The seventh and eighth periodic reports to the concerns. In addition, work was undertaken to Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination articulate the expected results of the programmes against Women were submitted in conformity in line with human rights standards. The with reporting guidelines. The periodic reports UNCT also integrated support for the National to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Human Rights Action Plan in the United Nations Discrimination and the Human Rights Committee, Development Assistance Plan, although it however, remain overdue. should be noted that the Action Plan does not incorporate all of the recommendations issued by the Universal Periodic Review in relation to Tanzania.

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Zambia Year established 2014 Staff as of 31 December 2014 1

Results

Strengthening international human rights mechanisms uu Establishment of participatory standing national coordinating body on reporting/replying to individual communications and enquiries; and integrated follow-up to recommendations of all human rights mechanisms and submission of pending reports to treaty bodies (EA 6) © OHCHR/Tanzania OHCHR outreach activity addressed to children with albinism in the The Human Rights Adviser prompted discussions United Republic of Tanzania. within the United Nations Country Team on the need to advocate for and support the creation of a national coordinating body for reporting to Integrating human rights in development and in the human rights treaty bodies. It is anticipated the economic sphere that State Party reports will be submitted in uu A human rights-based approach is integrated into 2015 to the Committee on the Elimination of the new United Nations Development Assistance Discrimination against Women and the Committee Framework 2016-2019 and into joint programmes on the Rights of the Child. of the UNCT (EA 11) In 2014, the HRA produced a handbook, entitled Enhancing equality and countering Applying a Human Rights-Based Approach to discrimination Development Work in Zambia, which contains uu Civil society creates and supports participatory useful information and checklists adapted to the mechanisms to counter discrimination (EA 5) Zambian context. The objective of the Handbook On the initiative of the HRA, a Human Rights is to ensure that the principles of a human rights- Network was created, composed of Zambian based approach are applied at all stages of the human rights practitioners, human rights activists UNCT programming cycle. In addition, the HRA and academics. In 2014, the Network met trained government officials, civil society and the regularly to discuss and formulate strategies to UNCT on the human rights-based approach and advance human rights issues in Zambia. It has gender mainstreaming in order to provide those also been instrumental in drafting policy on responsible for development interventions with issues such as discrimination, the justiciability of the necessary tools to promote the realization of economic, social and cultural rights and business human rights. and human rights.

184 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR in the field: Americas

Type of presence Location OHCHR continued to engage with countries of the American continent from headquarters in Geneva, Country offices OO Bolivia OO Colombia the New York Office and through its 13 field OO Guatemala presences. These presences included two regional OO Mexico offices (Panama City and Santiago de Chile); four Regional offices OO Central America (Panama City, Panama) OO South America (Santiago, Chile) country offices (Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico); six human rights advisers (Dominican Human rights OO Haiti (MINUSTAH) component in Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Jamaica, Paraguay and UN Peace Mission to the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) Human rights advisers OO Dominican Republic** Regional Team for Latin America and the Caribbean in United Nations OO Ecuador* Country Teams OO Honduras based in Panama); and one human rights component OO Jamaica** in a peace mission (Haiti), where OHCHR continued OO Panama (UNDG Regional Human to lead the Protection Cluster in the context of the Rights Adviser for Latin America and the Caribbean)** humanitarian response. In addition, a Human Rights OO Paraguay Officer in Barbados provided support to the United * Discontinued in 2014 Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Government ** Human Rights Adviser deployed through the UNDG Human Rights Working Group

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and civil society on the implementation of Universal Latin American model protocol was launched as a Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations. At the tool for judicial systems to investigate the increasing end of the year, the post of Human Rights Adviser number of gender-motivated killings of women. in Ecuador was discontinued. The presence was closed on 31 March 2015 and Ecuador came under Between October 2013 and September 2014, United the responsibility of the Regional Office for South States immigration officials apprehended more America. than 60,000 unaccompanied children at the border between Mexico and the United States. The majority The work of OHCHR in the Americas was of these children came from El Salvador, Guatemala undertaken against a backdrop of consolidated and Honduras and had undertaken perilous journeys democracies, solid legal frameworks and engaged to flee gang violence and poverty in their countries civil societies. In Colombia, hopes for peace of origin. OHCHR closely followed the situation and increased as the peace dialogue advanced in 2014 participated in efforts in Central America to address between the Government and the FARC-EP. This the root causes of the migration and provide support represented a unique opportunity to significantly to returnees. improve the human rights situation in the country. The negotiations were remarkable for the inclusion Throughout 2014, OHCHR promoted wider of the perspectives and opinions of victims of both engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms sides. In several countries, progress was registered in the Americas, particularly in the Caribbean and in the reduction of extreme poverty, malnutrition the United States where ratification rates are lower and infant mortality, yet high inequality persisted, and few national human rights institutions (NHRIs) particularly affecting indigenous peoples and Afro- operate in compliance with the Paris Principles. descendants. Demands for greater participation, Partnerships that were established in recent years transparency and access to rights, especially with UNCTs in the Caribbean were strengthened economic, social and cultural rights, took place and resulted in greater collaboration on human in several countries. The economic boom in the rights issues, especially in Barbados and Jamaica. In extractive and manufacturing industries continued to addition, OHCHR supported the Independent Expert raise human rights concerns, especially in relation on the situation of human rights in Haiti, who carried to indigenous peoples, and a number of countries out his second mission to the country, and the work reported consequential incidents of violence and of other special procedures mandate-holders who human rights violations. visited the continent.

OHCHR continued to prioritize strengthening the In order to advance human rights in the region, rule of law and ending impunity in the Americas. OHCHR worked in close contact with regional Field presences continued to work on issues of organizations, in particular the Inter-American transitional justice, impunity, the functioning of Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), as well as the justice system, harmonization of legislation with UN departments and agencies, governmental and jurisprudence with human rights standards, institutions, NHRIs, parliaments, civil society freedom of expression and situations of violence, organizations, academia and human rights defenders. conflict and insecurity. The Office also focused on In November, a joint declaration was signed to foster protection mechanisms for journalists and human collaboration between OHCHR and the IACHR. rights defenders, especially in Colombia, Guatemala Cooperation continued to take place between and Mexico, to ensure that laws and policies relating subregional organizations, such as the Common to public security adhered to human rights standards. Market of the South (MERCOSUR) and the Central Citizen security remained one of the major concerns American Integration System (SICA). for rights-holders in the region due to serious and ongoing acts of social violence, organized crime and In 2014, the Deputy High Commissioner visited human trafficking. Consequently, it was the focus of Canada and Guatemala. the work of several field presences. Furthermore, a

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Country Offices

Bolivia

Year established 2007 Staff as of 31 December 2014 22 Expenditure in 2014 US$1,370,430

Results

Strengthening international human rights © OHCHR/Bolivia mechanisms The Head of the OHCHR office in Bolivia participates at an event on uu A national coordinating body to report to treaty the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary. bodies, reply to individual communications and enquiries and ensure regular follow-up to rights mechanisms and contains six strategic areas recommendations of all international mechanisms (civil and political rights, social and cultural rights, is established and effectively functioning (EA 6) the rights of indigenous peoples, women’s rights, During the second cycle of the Universal Periodic the rights of populations in vulnerable situations Review in October, the Government committed and the management of rights), all of which have to creating a national body to coordinate indicators to measure their progress. The Ministry reporting to the human rights mechanisms and of Justice sent the proposal to the Government’s the follow-up to their recommendations. OHCHR Human Rights Committee and OHCHR for consistently advocated for the establishment feedback. OHCHR noted that a human rights- of such a body, including with the Ministry of based approach was not fully taken into account Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and other in the actions and indicators. The Government governmental entities, particularly in light of subsequently decided to create a commission the problems faced by the Ministry of Justice in to review the proposed plan and discuss the coordinating the preparation of State reports to development of a public policy. OHCHR attended the human rights mechanisms. the two meetings of the commission in 2014 but as The Office provided technical assistance to the of the end of the year, the revised action plan had Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of not been finalized. Justice for the drafting of the State’s report for the second cycle of the UPR. Out of the 193 Enhanced equality and countering recommendations resulting from the first cycle discrimination of the UPR, Bolivia accepted 47, rejected 15 uu The National Committee against Racism and and identified 131 as already implemented or All Forms of Discrimination effectively advises in the process of implementation. Furthermore, organizations of discriminated groups and OHCHR organized an event, together with the monitors the implementation of the Action Plan Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign (EA 4) Affairs and civil society organizations, to watch The National Committee against Racism and the live broadcast of the presentation of the All Forms of Discrimination adopted a system State report to the UPR Working Group of the to monitor the implementation of the 17 Human Rights Council. The event was attended programmes included in the National Action Plan by approximately 150 representatives from State against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination. entities and civil society. The Committee held a regular session in May, uu A national human rights action plan integrating during which the Vice Minister of Decolonization follow-up to selected recommendations of the presented information on the implementation international human rights mechanisms is adopted of the Plan, noting with concern that some and a participative coordination mechanism is in State entities had expressed limited support place for its implementation (EA 6) for its implementation. The Office advised on In August, the Ministry of Justice presented a the development of a system to monitor the final proposal for a national human rights action implementation of the Plan which contains plan for 2014-2018. The plan integrates the indicators to enable the assessment of results recommendations from the international human achieved against the planned goals.

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uu UN agencies implement the Guidance Note of the in relation to six prioritized rights, namely food, Secretary-General on Racial Discrimination and education, health, employment, housing and the Protection of Minorities and the Guidelines for right of women to live a life free of violence. the Protection of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary The development of indicators is underway for Isolation and Initial Contact (EA 11) the right to live a life free of trafficking, the right The Office disseminated the Guidelines to UN to water and sanitation and the right of access agencies that are part of the United Nations to justice and a fair trial. Three new technical Country Team (UNCT) Intercultural Thematic committees were established, with representatives Group. The Guidelines were also used by UNFPA, from different State institutions, which will apply UNICEF and WHO to strengthen the Indigenous the same methodology mentioned above. The Peoples Network and the Network of Indigenous technical committees working on the right of Women from the Pando Amazonian region. access to justice and a fair trial and on the right to live a life free of trafficking defined a set of Combating impunity and strengthening proposed indicators before the end of 2014. accountability and the rule of law uu Indigenous organizations meaningfully uu The Council of Magistrates, the Plurinational participate in consultation processes (EA 5) Constitutional Tribunal, the Public Prosecutor’s Three indigenous peoples’ communities Office and the Ministry of Justice improve the participated in a consultation process, launched compliance with human rights standards of their by the Office, on the design and monitoring policies and programmes in relation to judicial of public policies, budgets and development independence, access to justice, institutional projects that have an impact on the enjoyment transparency and the criminal justice system (EA 1) of their rights. The participants have a better According to assessments undertaken by the understanding of the normative framework Government and OHCHR, the functioning of that is needed to protect their rights and about justice institutions is still facing serious difficulties. the available mechanisms for restitution and The Government announced that another redress for possible violations, in accordance referendum will be held related to the reform of with international standards. In 2014, OHCHR the administration of justice. conducted three studies, founded on a uu The School for Judges, the School for Public participatory process, regarding the decision- Prosecutors and the Plurinational Academy of making systems of three communities of Constitutional Studies incorporate international indigenous peoples, namely the Jach’a Karanga human rights law into their curricula (EA 1) Nation of Oruro Department; the Capitanía del The School of Judges incorporated a human rights Alto Parapeti of Santa Cruz Department; and course in its training curricula and launched the the Organization of the Mosetén Indigenous first course in December. A human rights course Peoples of the La Paz Department. The studies for prosecutors was also developed by the School enabled the indigenous communities to reflect on for Public Prosecutors. The Office designed both their organizational structures and review their courses in collaboration with the two schools. decision-making processes. It was noted that Furthermore, the Office developed a database that decisions within these communities were taken enables judges and prosecutors to easily consult in partial compliance with their laws and customs. the international human rights treaties that relate The results of the studies were validated by the to constitutional norms. three communities and will be published in 2015.

Integrating human rights in development and in Widening the democratic space the economic sphere uu Significant improvement in the compliance with uu State institutions increasingly incorporate a relevant international standards of legislation human rights-based approach into their annual on freedom of opinion and of expression and the plans, policies and budgets, including the use of right to information (EA 1) human rights indicators, and apply the right to The Plurinational Legislative Assembly did not free, prior and informed consent (EA 1) work on the draft law on transparency and access Based on a methodology established and to public information during the year. Law 351 validated in 2012, and with the support (2013), which regulates the work of NGOs, is of OHCHR, the Ministry of Justice and the reported as an issue of major concern for NGOs National Institute of Statistics led the process that note its application fosters self-censorship. of establishing human rights indicators. After a Nonetheless, OHCHR did not document any review of the indicators developed in previous case of violation of human rights in 2014 based years, approximately 400 indicators were defined on the implementation of the Law. At the

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request of some NGOs, the Office monitored the Women. Moreover, the Office assisted in the administrative processes in place to review the development of models of courts and prosecutors’ legal status of NGOs in the country. According offices that are specialized in combating violence to the information collected, the processes have against women. Both the manual on the been slow and cumbersome. As of the end of investigation of crimes of femicide documents 2014, only 17 out of hundreds of organizations and the models of courts and prosecutors’ offices have been able to confirm their legal status. were applied in various national departments uu Human rights defenders seek restitution and/or following consultation with and approval by redress for violations of the rights of indigenous judges, prosecutors, medical-forensic experts and peoples (EA 5) other professionals working in the field. A bill on the right of indigenous peoples to consultation was developed by indigenous Bolivia: Expenditure in 2014 peoples’ organizations and other stakeholders, Regular budget Extrabudgetary with the support of OHCHR, and submitted to expenditure expenditure the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. The former in US$ in US$ Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous Personnel and - 1,021,399 peoples, James Anaya, provided technical advice related costs on the content of the draft. The Office facilitated Consultants - - training activities for indigenous peoples designed Official travel - 29,938 to increase their understanding of their rights. As Contractual services - 21,451 an example, in coordination with the ILO and General operating - 101,490 the Guarani University, 35 Guarani village leaders expenses (including nine women) received training on Supplies and - 7,331 cultural diversity and legal anthropology. This materials training is now offered by the University as part Seminars, grants and - 31,161 of its permanent academic courses. The Office contributions also monitored the process of legal recognition Subtotal - 1,212,770 of two minority groups and the national elections Programme support - 157,660 in two departments to ensure compliance costs with the right to political participation and the GRAND TOTAL - 1,370,430 representation of indigenous peoples.

Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity uu State institutions implement effective policies and measures to foster gender equality and combat Colombia sexual and gender-based violence, in line with recommendations issued by the Committee on the Year established 1997 Elimination of Discrimination against Women Staff as of 31 December 2014 67 and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Expenditure in 2014 US$8,955,163 Discrimination. Police officers increasingly apply international human rights norms and standards, in particular those relating to the protection of Results victims or persons at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking and sexual and gender-based Enhancing equality and countering violence (EA 1) discrimination In the context of the implementation of Law uu Increased implementation of anti-discrimination 243 against the harassment of women and legislation and governmental initiatives and political violence against women and Law 348 compliance with anti-discrimination standards by guaranteeing women a life free of violence, the selected institutions (EA 4) Office supported the Ministry of Justice and the The Government informed the Office that it police in developing a proposal for a manual on will promote a policy against discrimination the investigation of crimes of femicide, based in the framework of the Decade for People on the Latin American Model Protocol for the of African Descent, starting in 2015. OHCHR investigation and prosecution of gender-related supported the elaboration of an agenda for killings of women, developed by the OHCHR this initiative, including methodologies to Regional Office for Central America and UN combat discrimination. OHCHR monitored the

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implementation of protection measures for indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in line with the commitments made by the Government under the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action. In this regard, the Colombian Constitutional Court ordered the implementation of an ethnic protection road map for the protection of their rights to territory and to make choices in relation to their own way of life. Within this framework, the Office worked with the Arhuacos (Sierra Nevada), Wayuu (Guajira), Uwa (Santander) and Awa (Pasto) indigenous peoples and the Afro-Colombian communities of Cocomopoca (Chocó) and Juan y Medio (Guajira), in order to increase their capacity to make claims for the © OHCHR/Colombia enhanced protection of their rights. Significant A human rights officer conducting a workshop with indigenous progress, however, has not been reported in children in Colombia. the implementation of the existing protection petitions made by the indigenous and Afro- reparation mechanisms, allowing for the active descendant communities. participation of victims, established and/or functioning in accordance with international Combating impunity and strengthening standards (EA 3) accountability and the rule of law With regard to reparation mechanisms, the Office uu Decisions of the national justice system, including contributed, through technical advice, to increase ordinary, indigenous and special jurisdictions the capacity of the Victims’ and Land Restitution (military justice), increasingly conform to human Units to implement reparations as foreseen in Law rights standards, norms and principles (EA 1) 1448. Based on its monitoring activities, the Office The Attorney General’s Office has decided to place also helped in the identification of challenges in all cases of threats against human rights defenders the implementation of the Law at the local level. under its jurisdiction, dedicate specific prosecutors Furthermore, in three cases (land restitution in to analyze the cases and identify patterns based Cesar, Córdoba and Magdalena; return process on regional parameters, types of persons and to Alto Andágueda in Chocó; humanitarian organizations attacked and potential criminal situation of indigenous Hitnu peoples in Arauca), structures behind the attacks and threats. To OHCHR helped to foster the functioning of inter- achieve better results in the investigations, OHCHR institutional coordination mechanisms between will provide methodologies and the analyses the Units and other relevant institutions. With resulting from its monitoring and investigations. regard to reconciliation mechanisms, OHCHR was Additionally, OHCHR analysed information related actively involved in supporting the participation to the so-called “false positives” extrajudicial of victims in the negotiation process between executions and the identification of patterns, the Government and the FARC-EP. In 2014, the practices and linkages to support prosecutorial Office moderated working groups in the context efforts. This information has been the basis for of events for victims at the regional and national the delivery of technical assistance and advocacy levels and was involved in the team that selected vis-à-vis the Attorney General’s Office. At the local 60 victims to participate in hearings held by the level, the cooperation with the Attorney General’s delegations of the Government and the FARC-EP Office has facilitated the prioritization of cases of to the peace talks. attacks against human rights defenders. Through a strengthened dialogue and technical assistance Integrating human rights in development and in provided to the Supreme Judiciary Council, this the economic sphere entity adopted new criteria to decide on cases uu Increased compliance with economic, social and of conflict of jurisdiction between ordinary and cultural rights standards by the Administrative military courts. As a result, the number of cases of Department for Social Prosperity and the Ministries extrajudicial executions that were transferred to of Health and Education (EA 1) military courts decreased from 47 in 2013 to zero The Administrative Department for Social in 2014. Prosperity is increasingly aware of the need uu Transitional justice mechanisms, including to enhance its compliance with international accountability, truth, reconciliation and standards on economic, social and cultural

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rights. The Office prepared a report, which which is reported to be working in compliance was shared with the Department, on the results with the Paris Principles. Coordination in the field of its monitoring of the living conditions in with the Ombudsman’s Office was of significant some communities in Colombia. The report importance to OHCHR’s monitoring and advocacy contains recommendations on how to improve work. In this respect, high-level joint missions institutional efforts aimed at overcoming were undertaken between both organizations and poverty and guaranteeing the social inclusion of joint press statements were released on a number people in vulnerable conditions. OHCHR also of issues of concern. contributed to the empowerment of vulnerable uu A human rights education programme, with a communities by involving them in the evaluation focus on youth, effectively institutionalized (EA 1) of the implementation of the recommendations The technical Secretariat of the National Human included in the report and by providing advice on Rights System, under the coordination of the filing claims with the Department. The Ministry Ministry of Education, engaged in discussions of Health increased its efforts to guarantee the with the National Planning Department on a right to health in some communities, especially policy document to initiate the implementation in the Chocó Department. Following advocacy of the public policy on human rights education. undertaken by the Office, the Ministry agreed to The Office provided technical assistance for the review the implementation of the Riosucio Health drafting of the document. Furthermore, with Centre project (addressed to Afro-Colombian and OHCHR’s assistance, the Ministry of Education indigenous inhabitants in the Chocó Department) integrated a human rights-based approach and to ensure it includes an ethnic perspective and international standards on the right to education further engages with the communities on this issue. in its training of teachers and educational uu Increased integration of human rights standards authorities; and contributed to the increased into business operations (EA 3) capacity of teachers from some educational In 2014, the Presidential Programme on Human entities on the use of human rights education Rights launched the national guidelines on methodologies and their incorporation in the business and human rights, which would serve curricula. The Office has also developed a as the basis for the elaboration of a public pilot project with children and adolescents in policy on the subject. OHCHR contributed to the schools across the country to gather their views elaboration and approval of two guidelines aimed and proposals on human rights and peace. The at promoting the adoption by private companies of information collected will serve as input for a due diligence principles to prevent human rights communication strategy on peace and human violations. Furthermore, prioritized companies rights to be developed in 2015. increased the integration of human rights principles uu Effective mechanisms and measures are in place into their policies, guidelines and operations. In to protect civil society actors, including human 2014, for instance, a mining company incorporated rights defenders (EA 3) human rights principles into its business plan and The National Protection Unit improved its capacity social responsibility projects as a result of support to protect human rights defenders. The Office provided by the Office. contributed to this result through the regular uu Increased use of national protection systems to exchange of information with the Unit in order ensure free, prior and informed consent (EA 5) to identify and address challenges related to the As a result of capacity-building activities on protection of human rights defenders. Training the right to free, prior and informed consent, indigenous communities working with the Office elaborated consultation protocols which reflect their views on how consultations must take place in their communities. The black communities of northern Cauca are already using their protocol in the consultation process related to the management plan of the Salvajina dam in the municipality of Suarez.

Widening the democratic space uu National human rights institution functioning in accordance with the Paris Principles (EA 1)

During 2014, the Office strengthened its © OHCHR/Colombia collaboration with the Ombudsman’s Office, Awareness-raising activity with indigenous children in Colombia.

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sessions were also delivered to increase the Unit’s parties. For example, the Office participated in awareness of and compliance with human rights the dialogue process between the Government standards. and the Agrarian Negotiating Platform (including peasants, Afro-descendants and indigenous Early warning and protection of human rights communities). This allowed for the discussion of in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity subjects of great political importance, including uu Policies and regulatory frameworks applied by the in relation to the ongoing peace process. This national police and the armed forces in relation national dialogue has also been mirrored at the to security and the use of force, including in the regional and departmental levels with discussions context of demonstrations, increasingly comply and negotiations which are supported by OHCHR. with human rights standards (EA 1) In Cauca, OHCHR helped support communities Following a request made by the Inspector led by Afro-descendant women in their General, OHCHR produced draft regulations discussions on the impact of illegal mining that on the use of force for the national police. was taking place without prior consultation. The draft regulations contain protocols and uu Preparedness, response and recovery policies, procedures applicable to anti-riot police in the protocols and mechanisms of the United Nations context of public demonstrations. At the field to deal with national disasters, conflict and other level, OHCHR’s engagement with security forces situations of violence and insecurity comply with contributed to confidence building between human rights standards (EA 11) these forces and the Office. For instance, in In 2014, OHCHR-Colombia contributed to the Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Medellin and increased alignment of the United Nations Pasto, regular meetings were held with security Country Team’s policies, plans and protocols forces to address and follow-up on specific with international human rights standards. cases of concern. As a result, OHCHR provided As a part of the Humanitarian Country Team, relevant information to authorities and proposed OHCHR participated in the drafting process of recommendations on how to improve prevention the 2015 Strategic Response Plan to ensure the and follow-up to cases of human rights violations. integration of a human rights-based approach. uu Regional and municipal governments, the One of the Plan’s priorities is addressing human national police, the National Protection Unit, rights violations and breaches of international the Ombudsman’s Office and the Municipal humanitarian law that persist in conflict-affected Ombudspersons (Personeros) proactively prevent communities with limited institutional and and respond to human rights violations (EA 1) response capacities. Specific attention will be With the support of the Office, the national police given to the needs of affected populations, progressed in the implementation of a citizen particularly women, children and adolescents, security policy that incorporated a human rights- people with disabilities and the elderly. based approach, following the implementation of a joint project on the subject. OHCHR also maintained close contacts with security forces Colombia: Expenditure in 2014 at the field level. For example, the engagement Regular budget Extrabudgetary of OHCHR with the armed forces in Medellin expenditure expenditure resulted in a decision to move a military base in US$ in US$ Personnel and from Ituango to another location, thereby - 5,597,445 reducing the danger to civilians. In the Cauca related costs region, the armed forces closed military camps Consultants - 649,341 located within inhabited areas in Tacueyó and Official travel - 495,910 Miranda. Contractual services - 162,581 uu Mechanisms for dialogue and negotiation are in General operating - 656,650 place to enable the Government and civil society expenses organizations to resolve disputes and avoid an Supplies and - 229,825 escalation of violence, including in the event of a materials peace agreement (EA 3) Seminars, grants and - 133,170 In 2014, a positive change was perceived in the contributions relationship between social movements and the Subtotal - 7,924,923 Government. In some cases of conflict, the Office Programme support - 1,030,240 played a mediation role to promote dialogue and costs ensure that agreements were respected by both GRAND TOTAL - 8,955,163

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Solving cases of enforced disappearances in Colombia

On 27 March 2007, Kemel Mauricio involved in all stages of the process, and Andrés Fabian Garzón, a the Office ensured the availability craftsman and an assistant mechanic, of psychosocial support before and were chatting with friends in a bar during the exhumation, worked to in the city of El Yopal, Colombia, ensure the fulfilment of their rights of when they were illegally detained by participation and attempted to keep members of the army. Approximately their expectations realistic. three hours later, they were reported to have been gang members that After much hard work, the remains of © OHCHR/Colombia were killed in combat in a rural area a man were discovered. Immediately, A human rights officer monitors the exhumation procedure of the remains of within the municipality of Maní, a woman cried: “That’s my son! Kemel. 821 kilometres from El Yopal. That’s Andrés!” The information from the exhumation was compared with scientifically proven with 99.999 per It was not until 2010 that their the autopsy report of those who were cent accuracy that a correlation families were informed of their reportedly buried in the same place in exists between the mitochondria whereabouts, when the Military 2007, but it did not correspond with cells of the relatives and the samples Criminal Court of the 44th Infantry the victims being searched for. After extracted from the human remains. Battalion carried out a photographic taking into account the fact that the On 7 December 2014, the National reconstruction of the corpses. dental card dating from 2007 was Institute of Legal Medicine and Although the families recognized the poorly constructed, and given that the Forensic Sciences sent the results to photographs of their relatives, their mother of one of the victims insisted the Attorney General’s Office which bodies were not recovered. A judge that her son had all his dental parts indicated that the identity of the two of the Military Criminal Court ordered and identified a distinctive mark on disappeared men corresponded to the a search of the cemetery in Maní in the body, experts concluded there human remains that were found. search of their remains, with negative was a high probability of identifying results. This was extremely difficult the remains. In agreement with the families, the for the families, especially as it was Attorney General’s Office immediately members of the army who conducted The mother of the other victim, released the human remains to their the search. Kemel, was similarly anxious to relatives. The release of Kemel’s know if remains could be found remains took place on 15 December The families and representatives that corresponded to her son. The at the Historical Memory Centre of of the victims began to relentlessly search continued and another coffin Bogota. The Attorney General’s Office campaign for answers. Another was found containing remains provided forensic and psychological exhumation of the cemetery in covered in plastic. The skull was assistance to the family and was also Maní was attempted. Again, the partly destroyed. Those present in charge of the subsequent judicial results were negative. On 20 May knew that Kemel’s skull had been proceeding, with the support of the 2014, as a result of the ongoing partially damaged by a firearm, so Office. OHCHR issued a press release campaign which benefited from the probability that the remains were which highlighted the importance momentum generated by the Office, his was high. The time spent waiting of this search and recovery process. another exhumation took place, for the results seemed endless to the It also called for the need to speed this time with the participation of 70-year-old woman. up investigations and the search for relatives, prosecutors, investigators, persons who have been disappeared representatives of the victims and Legally speaking, a person is or extrajudicially executed. the Office. Since the families were considered disappeared until it is

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Guatemala uu UN agency plans and programmes deriving from the 2015-2019 United Nations Development Year established 2005 Assistance Framework serve to systematically Staff as of 31 December 2014 26 follow-up recommendations issued by UN human Expenditure in 2014 US$3,729,246 rights mechanisms (EA 11) In October, the UNCT and the Government signed the United Nations Development Assistance Results Framework (UNDAF) 2015-2019, which includes an annex with all of the recommendations made Strengthening international human rights to Guatemala by human rights mechanisms that mechanisms are relevant to the five programmatic areas to uu State institutions are coordinated to achieve be implemented by the UNCT. The document integrated reporting and implementation of also includes the indicators proposed by OHCHR recommendations (EA 6) to measure the effectiveness of the UNDAF in The Office contributed to the improvement the areas of citizen security, transitional justice of Government reports to UN human rights and the participation of indigenous peoples mechanisms and their compliance with reporting in development. To contribute to this result, guidelines. The Office provided comments to OHCHR worked closely with the Resident the draft proposal for the creation of an inter- Coordinator’s Office on the final draft of the institutional commission to better coordinate UNDAF and advocated with UN agencies for the and harmonize reporting to the Committee mainstreaming of key human rights elements. on the Elimination of Discrimination against Once the UNDAF was signed, OHCHR worked Women, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with the Resident Coordinator to develop a matrix with Disabilities and the Committee on the to determine which UN agencies will follow which Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Additionally, recommendations and how they will contribute the Office provided technical assistance to the to their implementation. As a result, all five Government for the classification of the more Inter-Agency Working Groups on the UNDAF’s than 1,000 recommendations issued by the programmatic areas (Multicultural Diversity, Justice, human rights mechanisms. OHCHR worked with Security, Social Development and Sustainable the Presidential Commission for Human Rights Development) will be responsible for following up to update its database of recommendations to on recommendations made by UN human rights include information on the State institutions mechanisms. A trilateral Government/UNCT/civil responsible for their implementation. The society committee will be tasked with reviewing Presidential Commission indicated that once the progress made. the database was updated, it would be made available online to allow public access but this Enhancing equality and countering has not yet happened. discrimination uu Civil society and the national human rights uu Selected State institutions with potential impact on institution make more use of individual the situation of indigenous peoples, persons with complaints mechanisms of the treaty bodies or disabilities and other discriminated groups (older treaty body/Universal Periodic Review follow-up persons, youth, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender procedures (EA 7) Based on technical assistance provided by the Office, civil society organizations contributed to the preparation of communications on individual cases sent to the special procedures on the independence of judges and lawyers, on violence against women, on water and sanitation and on the situation of human rights defenders. OHCHR also trained civil society organizations to assist them in developing plans to follow- up on recommendations emanating from the Universal Periodic Review. As a result, the Forum of International NGOs developed an agreement with the national human rights institution (NHRI) to systematically monitor the implementation of © OHCHR/Guatemala Representatives of OHCHR and the Ombudsman’s Office during a recommendations. joint monitoring mission to San Juan Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.

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Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law uu The Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Public Defender, the judiciary and the Constitutional Court increasingly incorporate human rights norms and standards in their policies and decisions; use standards relative to the rights of indigenous peoples in court proceedings and decisions and coordinate more effectively with indigenous justice systems (EA 1) Through a series of activities undertaken by the Office, including capacity-building on the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights and the rights of indigenous peoples, judges, prosecutors and legal clerks strengthened their knowledge regarding international human rights standards. OHCHR provided technical advice on several laws, including the Law on Public Order, the Law to Implement the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Civil Code to raise the legal age for marriage. While OHCHR’s comments were often taken into account, the draft reform to the Civil Code maintains an exception for marriage at the age of 16, contrary to international standards. The Attorney General’s Office strengthened its capacity regarding access to justice for indigenous peoples and developed © OHCHR/Guatemala Members of the Maya-Q´echí communities brief OHCHR officers on an action plan to implement necessary structural the legal case they presented in the context of the Maya Programme. changes with the support of OHCHR.

and intersex persons) increasingly incorporate Integrating human rights in development and in human rights standards in their policies and the economic sphere practices (EA 4) uu Selected policies related to the exploitation OHCHR provided technical assistance to the of natural resources and rural and local National Council for the Care of Persons with development incorporate human rights standards Disabilities and the Special Congressional in their design and implementation. State Commission on Disabilities in order to harmonize institutions take into account the traditional the National Law on the Care of Persons with authorities and specific forms of organization Disabilities and related public policies with of indigenous peoples when discussing selected international standards. The Office provided legislation and policies affecting them (EA 1) support to civil society organizations in the An agricultural policy was adopted by the implementation of an observatory on the rights of Government in October. The Office provided persons with disabilities. technical assistance on the issue and prepared uu Indigenous organizations and traditional authorities and distributed a paper on relevant international and communities use litigation as a channel to human rights standards. The Office was able to demand recognition of their rights (EA 5) influence the design of policies on environmental In the context of the second phase of the Maya issues through the organization of several Programme in 2014, 12 cases presented by workshops with the Ministry of Environment and indigenous organizations were selected to receive Natural Resources. The Ministry also committed to support from the Programme. The thematic areas preparing a guidance document for consultation of the cases include land and territory, right to with indigenous peoples during the development prior consultation, right to water, transitional of environmental impact studies related to the justice, indigenous women’s rights, freedom of exploitation of natural resources. Furthermore, a speech and cultural rights. Additionally, legal and dialogue was initiated between the Vice Ministry communications assistance was provided to cases of Sustainable Development and indigenous that remain active from the first phase of the communities affected by the exploitation of Programme. natural resources.

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uu The Labour Inspectorate adopts and increasingly were implemented to protect the human rights implements a policy to monitor the fulfilment of defenders who suffered threats and attacks. the rights of land workers (EA 1) In 2014, the Office finalized the Manual for Early warning and protection of human rights the inspection and verification of the rights of in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity agricultural workers, which will be used by the uu Public policies in the area of security incorporate Labour Ministry. To prepare the Manual, OHCHR human rights standards (EA 1) carried out a large number of consultations with At the end of 2014, the amended Law on the state stakeholders across the country. The Office of emergency was submitted to the Security and also conducted several missions to monitor the Justice Commission of the Congress. The Office situation of agricultural workers in different contributed to an increased understanding among plantations, with special attention given to parliamentarians regarding the need to adopt the children, youth and women. It also accompanied amendments to align the Law with international the Labour Inspectorate during its inspections. standards. uu A national network of economic, social and uu State policies and practices increasingly address cultural rights NGOs monitors the implementation sexual and gender-based violence, including of public policies (including budgets) related to the through the application of national legislation by rights to food, land and housing and engages with the judiciary (EA 1) government institutions in these areas (EA 5) In coordination with the School of Judicial A national network of NGOs working on Studies and the Supreme Court of Justice, OHCHR economic, social and cultural rights issues was launched an analytical study on the sentences established, held regular meetings to exchange handed down by tribunals in cases involving information and drafted a shadow report to the femicide and other types of violence against Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural women, as well as an evaluation of the degree to Rights. The Office supported the preparation which the curricula reflects a gender perspective. of the report and the participation of the The objective of the study is to analyze the network in the session where the Committee integration in tribunal judgments of human rights reviewed the report of Guatemala. Several of the standards on gender and the impact of gender issues mentioned in the report of the network training programmes. Once completed in early were incorporated into the Committee’s final 2015, the study will support several follow-up recommendations. actions, including the dissemination of the results to judges based in different cities. Widening the democratic space uu The NHRI fulfils its mandate in accordance with international human rights standards in Guatemala: Expenditure in 2014 investigating human rights abuses (EA 1) Regular budget Extrabudgetary Through the technical assistance provided by the expenditure expenditure Office, including the elaboration of a protocol for in US$ in US$ Personnel and investigations, the NHRI strengthened its capacity - 2,758,048 related costs to investigate human rights violations. The Office and the NHRI continued to conduct joint Consultants - 112,079 monitoring missions and exchanged information Official travel - 58,259 on particular cases of concern, such as the Contractual services - 30,074 protests at La Puya (following the launch of a General operating - 205,048 mining project), in order to strengthen the NHRI’s expenses Supplies and monitoring and protection capacities. - 29,946 materials uu Strengthened protection mechanisms for human Seminars, grants and rights defenders working in accordance with - 106,764 international standards (EA 3) contributions The Office held meetings at the local and national Subtotal - 3,300,218 Programme support levels with the Attorney General’s Office to - 429,028 share information on cases relating to human costs rights defenders. This information was then GRAND TOTAL - 3,729,246 shared with relevant State institutions and actions

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Justice for women victims of sexual violence in Mexico Guatemala Year established 2002 Sexual violence was used as weapon of war during the Staff as of 31 December 2014 20 internal armed conflict in Guatemala. Demencia Yat Expenditure in 2014 US$2,399,663 was one of the many victims of this conflict. After the disappearance of her husband, she was forced to work at the military base of Sepur Zarco for six years. “The Results soldiers broke my marriage. They burned everything we had. We had nowhere to go. When we finished our Strengthening international human rights shifts at the base, we were forced to provide food for mechanisms the soldiers, to make tortillas and wash uniforms. For u The competence of the Committee on Economic, six years,” she said. Social and Cultural Rights, the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on Enforced The soldiers ordered Ms. Yat and other women from Disappearances to receive and consider individual her community to remain silent. Nevertheless, she and communications is recognized and reservations others began to come forward and in 2010, Ms. Yat or interpretative declarations to international gave her testimony, even though she had little hope human rights treaties are withdrawn (EA 2) that the justice system would listen to her case. The In October 2013, the President submitted two Attorney General’s Office undertook an investigation bills to the Senate in relation to the withdrawal and initial testimonies were delivered in court. At of reservations to seven international treaties. the same time, OHCHR began providing technical The bills were approved by the Congress of the assistance to the civil society organizations that were Union in February and are now in force. OHCHR acting as additional plaintiffs, as well as to judges who advocated for the withdrawal of the reservations, would be hearing the case. During her visit in 2014, including by mapping the status of all reservations the Deputy High Commissioner met with Ms. Yat and and interpretative declarations made by Mexico after listening to her testimony, included the issue of and sharing the results with relevant authorities. women victims of sexual violence as a key message in u The National Programme for Human Rights and her press statement. A few days later, Judge Miguel respective local and sectorial programmes are Angel Galvez read the Deputy High Commissioner’s elaborated in compliance with international press statement during a hearing and requested that human rights principles and standards (EA 6) the Attorney General hand over the results of their As a result of a joint initiative by OHCHR and investigation to determine if arrest warrants could the Ministry of Interior, three human rights be issued. One week later, two arrest warrants were programmes were developed in Jalisco, Oaxaca issued. and Baja California through a participatory On 14 October, Judge Galvez declared that the case process involving local authorities, civil society would be going to trial and quoted Ms. Yat’s testimony: organizations and academics. In 2015, the “I was so disturbed that even if I was dead, I could Office will provide technical assistance for not heal. You cannot build a society if you let so many the implementation of these programmes and injustices pass.” When Ms. Yat was asked how she felt follow up on the evaluation of the national about the case going to trial, she responded, “I feel it human rights programmes and the five local is the first time that I believe things can change; this human rights programmes. OHCHR followed the judge gives me confidence and we can finally have implementation of the human rights programmes some peace.” The trial is expected to take place in in Coahuila and Mexico City and was involved 2015. Ms. Yat is the current president of Jalok Uc, an in discussions regarding the implementation of organization that coordinates support for other women the National Programme for Human Rights, its victims of sexual violence. institutionalization mechanism, the establishment of human rights indicators and the creation of a follow-up mechanism.

Enhancing equality and countering discrimination u Human rights-compliant legislation adopted on anti-discrimination issues and/or same-sex marriages and/or sexual and reproductive rights (EA 4)

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On 1 September, a law recognizing same-sex marriage was passed by the Congress of Coahuila, making it the first Mexican state to approve such a law. At the beginning of the year, OHCHR proposed the legislation reform to the Governor. Since its approval, OHCHR has organized four events in different regions of Coahuila on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons. The events were attended by LGBTI individuals, civil servants, journalists and human rights activists, among others. The Office also actively collaborated with Mexico’s National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination in the development of the National Programme for Equality and Anti- © OHCHR/Mexico Discrimination, which was issued in April. In Launch of the Free & Equal campaign in Mexico, September 2014. relation to maternal mortality and morbidity, OHCHR worked in the state of Jalisco to promote the implementation of the Technical guidance on the University in Jalisco formally incorporated the application of a human rights-based approach human rights into their training curricula. OHCHR to the implementation of policies and programmes worked on different capacity-building activities in to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and relation to ReformaDH, a human rights training mortality. The Office provided inputs on the right programme that was developed and is being to health and women’s rights and participated in implemented by OHCHR in collaboration with the discussions regarding a relevant policy. Supreme Court and Mexico City’s Human Rights Commission. Combating impunity and strengthening uu Human rights indicators are adopted by accountability and the rule of law an increasing number of federal and local uu Paradigmatic cases, especially those before the institutions to evaluate the impact of public Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, to which programmes and the level of implementation of OHCHR has submitted legal briefs, are resolved in recommendations of international human rights compliance with international standards (EA 1) mechanisms (EA 1) Judicial authorities have increasingly incorporated The implementation of fair trial indicators is international human rights standards in their mandatory for tribunals in the 32 states of Mexico. rulings. Since the 2011 constitutional reform During the year, OHCHR trained relevant staff on human rights, OHCHR has submitted five in all tribunals on the development of indicators compilations of relevant international norms and more than 20 have taken steps to define and standards to the Supreme Court and other and integrate the indicators into their work. The tribunals on relevant issues, including violence Office also supported the development of 105 against women; due process; the right to defend indicators on citizen security by the Ministry of human rights; the right to water; and the scope Public Security of the Federal District and the of military criminal jurisdiction. In collaboration OHCHR Human Rights Indicators Framework with the Supreme Court, the Office upgraded was incorporated in the National Programme the human rights legal search system, launched for Human Rights 2014-2018, launched in June. in 2013, which now includes information on Furthermore, OHCHR participated in the definition international human rights law and standards, of indicators for the post-2015 development specifically on the International Covenant on agenda, specifically a set of indicators for the Civil and Political Rights, the International peace, security and justice component, following Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural an invitation issued by the Mexican Government. Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All As a result of the Office’s technical advice, the Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Government decided to produce indicators with Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, human rights and equality perspectives and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. promote the disaggregation of data by sex, age, uu An increasing number of judicial institutions and ethnic origin and various vulnerability factors. universities formally incorporate human rights in Indicators are also being implemented in the states their curricula (EA 1) of Coahuila, Oaxaca and Queretaro to monitor the The local tribunals in Tamaulipas and Nayarit and advancement of human rights issues.

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uu An increasing number of local states have The cases focused on the right to consultation and eliminated the figure of arraigo from legislation consent regarding the development of projects and the federal law and the laws of an increasing which require the use of water, exploitation of number of states include the definition of enforced gas and the building of waste disposal sites. In disappearance and torture in accordance with all of the cases, OHCHR met with community international standards (EA 1) actors, including indigenous peoples, as well as In March, the Supreme Court declared that government authorities, to document the cases and any appeal against the figure of arraigo in raise human rights concerns. Mexican states must be directly accepted by federal judges and that rulings must recognize Widening the democratic space arraigo as unconstitutional. OHCHR submitted uu Legislation on freedom of expression adopted an opinion paper to the Supreme Court on the in compliance with international human rights international human rights standards applicable to standards (EA 1) the subject, which were taken into account in the In 2014, four Mexican states amended their Court’s judgment. Since the adoption of federal criminal codes to remove honour offences. In legislation criminalizing enforced disappearance addition, OHCHR conducted several missions to in 2002, 26 of Mexico’s 32 states have adopted these states to meet with local stakeholders in similar legislation in their criminal codes. Out of order to advocate for legal reforms to promote the six states that have not yet amended their freedom of expression. criminal codes, Baja California Sur is working uu Paradigmatic human rights cases raised by on a new penal code which includes enforced OHCHR result in the implementation of protection disappearance in line with international standards. measures by the Protection Mechanism’s OHCHR is providing ongoing advice to these Governing Board, when relevant (EA 3) states through key government officials. Although the National Protection Mechanism had received 131 requests for protection measures Integrating human rights in development and in as of the beginning of the year, its Governing the economic sphere Board, on which OHCHR sits as a guest with a uu Legislation in compliance with international voice but no vote, had only dealt with 40 cases human rights standards adopted on the right to due to structural problems. The NGO Freedom consultation of indigenous peoples; and the rights House subsequently presented a proposal to to food and water (EA 1) help overcome delays, mostly related to risk OHCHR provided a legal brief to the Supreme analysis. When the proposal was implemented at Court in an emblematic case related to the right the end of November, the delays were reduced to water. Elements of the brief were included and the National Protection Mechanism was able in an historical sentence which indicated the to analyze more than 120 cases and approve minimum quantity of water a person needs in security measures for journalists and human order to enjoy her or his right to water. The ruling rights defenders. OHCHR supported Freedom added to the general debate on the importance House with information on the workings of the of a general law on the right to water. Regarding Mechanism and suggestions. the federal law on the right of indigenous peoples to consultation, the Office engaged with the Commission for Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples at the Ministry of the Interior, which is in charge of preparing a draft law on this right and has provided examples of similar laws from © OHCHR/Mexico countries in the region. uu Paradigmatic human rights cases raised by OHCHR, including those relating to violations of economic, social and cultural rights, and the right of indigenous peoples to consultation and free, prior and informed consent, receive a positive response from authorities (EA 3) Through its monitoring work, OHCHR documented 12 cases of violations of economic, social and cultural rights, including violations to the right to free, prior and informed consent. Authorities OHCHR staff meet with relatives of disappeared persons in provided a positive response in six of those cases. Ayotzinapa, Mexico.

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Early warning and protection of human rights disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa, in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity Guerrero and extrajudicial killings that occurred u Legislation on the use of force, military during a military operation in Tlatlaya, Mexico. jurisdiction, victims’ rights and asylum-seekers OHCHR engaged with Mexican authorities who adopted in compliance with international human swiftly responded to requests for information and rights standards (EA 1) access to detainees. In June, a significant amendment to the Military Justice Code was approved to reduce the Mexico: Expenditure in 2014 scope of military jurisdiction. The bill removed Regular budget Extrabudgetary all human rights violations against civilians expenditure expenditure allegedly perpetrated by military personnel from in US$ in US$ military jurisdiction. Although the amendment Personnel and - 1,740,930 did not fully comply with international related costs human rights standards (since human rights Consultants - 29,912 violations committed against military personnel Official travel - 97,775 by military personnel continue to be under Contractual services - 22,570 military jurisdiction), it was an important step in General operating - 135,126 respecting the right to a fair trial and combating expenses impunity. OHCHR was closely involved in the Supplies and - 87,630 amendment and met with key congressmen, materials participated in hearings, provided technical Seminars, grants and - 9,653 advice and submitted legal briefs on relevant contributions human rights standards. The bill on asylum- Subtotal - 2,123,596 seekers has been pending since the Human Programme support - 276,067 Rights Constitutional Reform in 2011. OHCHR costs and UNHCR met with key parliamentarians GRAND TOTAL - 2,399,663 and prepared a brief on international standards related to refugees and asylum-seekers. While the Senate approved the bill, taking into account Declaration of absence due to enforced disappearance the recommendations submitted by OHCHR and in Coahuila UNHCR, the Chamber of Deputies has not taken any action since it received the draft in 2013. According to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, u Establishment of a national mechanism to search for disappeared and missing persons (EA 3) each State Party shall take appropriate steps to As of the end of 2014, a national mechanism address the legal situation of disappeared persons, to search for disappeared and missing persons whose fate has not been clarified, and that of their had not been established, a comprehensive relatives, including in relation to social welfare, national register of disappeared persons was financial matters, family law and property rights. In not in place and the National Protocol for Mexico, without particular provisions to address the the Search of Missing Persons was still under practical consequences of a person’s disappearance, construction. OHCHR provided authorities the disappeared persons and their relatives are left in with technical assistance on how to typify legal limbo and often a presumption of death provision the crime of enforced disappearance and in is applied. This imposes a burden on relatives. order to promote the establishment of search To remedy this situation in the state of Coahuila, mechanisms. The Office also undertook numerous families of victims, NGOs and authorities came together efforts to publically raise the issue of enforced in an unprecedented exercise to develop the necessary disappearance, including through press releases, legal tools to combat the terrible scourge of forced declarations in the media, participation in fora disappearances in their state. Following a series of and commemorative activities and the elaboration workshops, fora and discussions, and with technical and dissemination of relevant materials. The year support from OHCHR, the Declaration of absence due was also marked by emblematic cases of grave to enforced disappearance, was approved. human rights violations in Mexico, namely the

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Regional Offices

Regional Office for Central America (Panama City, Panama)

Year established 2007 Staff as of 31 December 2014 8 Expenditure in 2014 US$1,014,560

Results © OHCHR/Central America The OHCHR Representative for Central America presents the Latin American Model Protocol for the investigation of gender-related Strengthening international human rights killings of women to the Attorney General of Panama. mechanisms uu Increased ratification of international human uu Increased number of civil society organizations, rights instruments, especially the International national human rights institutions and UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from entities making substantial submissions to the Enforced Disappearance, the Third Optional international human rights mechanisms (EA 7) Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the In El Salvador, out of the 12 submissions made by Child on a communications procedure, the NGOs to the second cycle of the UPR, four were Optional Protocol to the International Covenant from NGOs trained by OHCHR. Furthermore, the on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and an representatives of LGBTI persons that attended increased number of declarations under article 14 the OHCHR training participated in advocacy of the International Convention on the Elimination trips to Geneva prior to the UPR session. The of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EA 2) Office also facilitated the formation of thematic In May, Costa Rica ratified the Optional Protocol alliances between civil society organizations to the International Covenant on Economic, Social that had not previously worked together in and Cultural Rights. The Regional Office had relation to the submission of parallel reports advocated for many years with both the executive to three treaty bodies in 2014, namely the and legislative branches regarding its ratification. Committee on Migrant Workers, the Committee uu Establish fully functioning participatory standing on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination national coordinating bodies in some of the and the Committee on Economic, Social and countries covered by the Regional Office and Cultural Rights. The organizations included those strengthening the existing bodies in Costa Rica working on migrant rights, Afro-descendant and Panama to report/reply to individual organizations, representatives of indigenous communications and enquiries; integrated peoples, organizations working on land and follow-up to recommendations of all human rights water issues, women’s organizations and LGBTI mechanisms (EA 6) associations. In Panama, as a result of trainings In Belize, the Government decided that because delivered by the Regional Office to UN agencies the ad hoc collaboration between the Ministry of and a wide range of NGOs, several individual and Foreign Affairs and other Ministries to follow up joint contributions were submitted for the second on recommendations of international mechanisms cycle of the UPR, including the first contribution was working well, a new inter-institutional from indigenous authorities. In addition, two mechanism was unnecessary. In El Salvador, the communications were sent to the Special Regional Office advocated with the Ministry of Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and Foreign Affairs for the establishment of an inter- fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples. institutional coordinating mechanism, with the participation of civil society, in accordance with Enhancing equality and countering two recommendations received by El Salvador discrimination during its second cycle of the Universal Periodic uu Three national human rights institutions in the Review. The mechanism has not been established. region have units or programmes to combat racial In Costa Rica and Panama, following the 2014 discrimination in compliance with international elections, the Regional Office coordinated with the standards (EA 4) new authorities to support the inter-institutional In El Salvador and Nicaragua, the Regional mechanisms in both countries. Office worked to strengthen the capacities of

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the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address cases of racism and racial discrimination by training more than 50 NHRI officers on how to implement the intervention protocol for cases of racial discrimination. The Regional Office developed the protocol in collaboration with the NHRIs. uu Enhanced engagement of indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants in mechanisms and fora for political dialogue in the region (EA 5) In 2014, the dialogue processes between indigenous peoples and the Governments of Costa Rica and Panama were temporarily postponed due to the presidential elections and subsequent change in government in both

countries. In Costa Rica, the new Government © OHCHR/Central America proposed to revive the round-table established in A human rights officer facilitates a workshop with indigenous 2013 and initiate a more inclusive dialogue with women of Panama. all 24 indigenous communities in the country, in line with OHCHR’s recommendation. As a first similar activities will be implemented in Costa step in facilitating dialogue between indigenous Rica and Panama in 2015. peoples and the new authorities, the Regional uu The United Nations Development Group Team Office organized two workshops around the for Latin America and Caribbean integrates World Conference on Indigenous Peoples during a human rights-based approach in its support which indigenous peoples had the opportunity to to countries in the context of the Millennium express their concerns to the Vice Minister of the Development Goals and the post-2015 Presidency, responsible for indigenous issues. In development agenda and implements the Rights the second workshop, indigenous peoples and Up Front plan of action (EA 11) government authorities established their priorities During 2014, the Regional Office and the Regional and agreed on the need to re-launch the dialogue Human Rights Adviser continued to engage process. with the Regional United Nations Development Group Team for Latin America and the Caribbean Integrating human rights in development and in (UNDG LAC) to ensure the integration of human the economic sphere rights in its programmes and activities, including uu Increased number of consultation processes in discussions on the post-2015 development between States and indigenous peoples in order agenda. OHCHR and the Regional Human Rights to obtain the latter’s free, prior and informed Adviser also provided support to the elaboration consent in line with the Declaration on the Rights of Common Country Assessment/United Nations of Indigenous Peoples (EA 5) Development Assistance Frameworks (CCA/ As part of its efforts related to ensuring the UNDAFs) in the region, delivering training fulfilment of the rights of indigenous peoples to sessions on the human rights-based approach to consultation and free, prior and informed consent, members of the Peer Support Group and UNDAF OHCHR increased its engagement with the private focal points from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El sector, particularly as emerging conflicts between Salvador, Panama and Uruguay. the States and indigenous peoples in the region are primarily due to the exploitation of natural Early warning and protection of human rights resources on the traditional lands of indigenous in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity communities in violation of their rights to uu Measures taken to combat gender-based violence, consultation and consent. As a result, the Regional in particular through the use of the Latin Office and the ILO collaborated to launch a pilot American Model Protocol for the Investigation and project to promote awareness among private Prosecution of Gender-Related Killings of Women companies operating in Central America about (EA 1) the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous The Latin American Model Protocol for the Peoples and ILO Convention No. 169 Concerning investigation of gender-related killings of women, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent developed by OHCHR and UN Women, was Countries. A pilot activity was carried out in officially released in August. The Model Protocol Nicaragua with the Private Enterprise Council and is a technical and practical instrument aimed at

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providing justice officials with guidelines for the Regional Office for Central America effective criminal investigation of violent deaths (Panama City, Panama): Expenditure in 2014 of women, based on gender, in accordance Regular budget Extrabudgetary with the international obligations of States. The expenditure expenditure Model Protocol was presented by OHCHR at a in US$ in US$ number of events and meetings in the region Personnel and 591,906 189,800 with different audiences and these efforts led to related costs the gradual incorporation of the Model Protocol Consultants 13,900 555 into the curriculum of the Public Ministries and Official travel 32,930 16,759 medico-legal departments of forensic medicine Contractual services 1,963 309 General operating 69,441 28,204 in the region. In El Salvador, OHCHR provided expenses technical advice to the Deputy Attorney General Supplies and 5,775 2,000 and key prosecutors to ensure the appropriate materials use of the Model Protocol for the investigation of Seminars, grants and 25,682 3,933 gender-motivated killings of women. contributions Subtotal 741,597 241,560 Programme support - 31,403 costs GRAND TOTAL 741,597 272,963

Rights of transgender persons in El Salvador

Karla Avelar (38 years old) is a abuse and threats from gangs and of transgender persons who live with transgendered person from El financially sustained herself as a HIV. “I never imagined achieving Salvador. She believes that the sex worker. One day, tired of the everything I have done. I have organizations focused on the outrageous actions to which she friends, a healthier lifestyle, I travel. rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, had been subjected for many years, I never thought I would fight to transgender and intersex persons she decided to defend herself. She defend my rights and have them and those focused on human rights vented her rage and ended up in respected,” she says. Despite the in El Salvador need to unite their jail. “In 1998, I was shot nine times experiences in my life, there are efforts and bridge the gaps that for refusing to pay the rent to the people who believe in me. Today’s separate them. “It is necessary,” gangs,” essentially an extortion change is real and I work doing she says, “to strengthen civil society payment. Her injuries required that what I love to do,” she added. in order to achieve fundamental she be hospitalized. When she woke changes.” up from a coma, she was told that In 2014, a new era began for she was HIV positive. Shocked and Karla. She began working closely Karla is enthusiastic and lives her afraid, she refused to accept the with the OHCHR Regional Office beliefs by actively participating in diagnosis. for Central America and took part discussions about how to document in several of the Office’s activities cases of discrimination and violence In 2000, she was sentenced to in El Salvador. “Collaborating with according to international human serve out a prison term, during OHCHR opens up opportunities; it rights instruments. Karla knows which she was raped, beaten and provides recognition for the work how important it is to report cases humiliated. When she was freed, done and challenges faced by that affect her community. As a nearly dying due to her illness, she grassroots organizations.” Karla was transgendered human rights activist, decided it was time to change. That one of the most prominent figures she has come a long way despite was when she began a personal of the local Free & Equal campaign her previous experiences of violence process of transformation which in El Salvador that was launched on and discrimination. Although she gave rise to an activist and human 10 December 2014. The campaign once felt that she had no rights, rights advocate for the rights of was a joint collaborative effort by she now defends those rights with transgender persons. “It helped lay OHCHR, the national human rights passion. At the age 9, she suffered the foundations for the NGO Aspidh institution and the UN system her first rape at the hands of a Arcoiris, a local organization that in El Salvador. She also actively family member. At 10, she was works for the defence of the rights of participated in the human rights threatened with death and forced to the transgendered.” She also joined training focused on documentation abandon school. She experienced forces with two other transgendered that was organized by OHCHR, the extreme poverty, sexual exploitation, women and created an association NHRI and civil society organizations.

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Regional Office for South America (Santiago, Chile)

Year established 2009 Staff as of 31 December 2014 10 Expenditure in 2014 US$1,430,217

Results

Strengthening international human rights mechanisms uu At least one international human rights treaty and five optional protocols are ratified (EA 2) © UN Photo/Mark Garten In October, the Argentine Senate approved the The Secretary-General, together with the President of Peru, ratification of the Third Optional Protocol to launched Peru’s National Plan of Action for Human Rights the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Education, December 2014. a Communications Procedure. The Regional Office for South America issued a fact sheet on be published on the website of the Office. The the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Office also held workshops to promote the use Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against of individual complaints procedures by NGOs Women and held high-level meetings in Chile and and civil society organizations in Argentina trainings on gender and human rights to promote and Brazil. Furthermore, trainings addressed to its ratification. The National Congress of Chile is vulnerable groups (i.e., indigenous peoples in considering ratification. Chile and Argentina; persons with disabilities in uu Improved timely submission of treaty bodies and Chile; migrants in Peru) included information on national reports to the Universal Periodic Review strategic litigation and the use of international in compliance with the reporting guidelines (EA 6) human rights mechanisms to denounce human As a result of two regional workshops organized rights violations. by the OHCHR Regional Office in Argentina and Peru for the Directors of Human Rights Enhancing equality and countering from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and discrimination Justice and Human Rights, new strategies and uu Improved legislative and policy anti- methodologies are being developed in relation discrimination frameworks in all countries in the to the implementation of recommendations region (EA 4) issued by the Universal Periodic Review. OHCHR In Peru, high-level meetings were held with Peruvian also elaborated, in partnership with the Chilean officials to discuss the reasons for the removal of NHRI, a set of human rights indicators to monitor the section related to the rights of lesbian, gay, Chile’s compliance with the recommendations bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in the emanating from the Human Rights Committee National Human Rights Plan and to advocate for the regarding Chile’s most recent periodic report to promotion and protection of their rights. the Committee. The Regional Office held several meetings with representatives of the Government Combating impunity and strengthening to discuss the indicators and with civil society accountability and the rule of law representatives for the validation of the indicators. uu Official curricula for the judiciary incorporates uu Civil society organizations and national human the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights institutions, when applicable, make rights in at least three countries (EA 1) substantive submissions to the human rights For the third consecutive year, the Regional treaty bodies, special procedures and the UPR Office helped to organize human rights courses in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and for students at the Judicial Academy of Chile Venezuela (EA 7) and for judges from all regions in Chile. The As part of its efforts to promote the use of the courses included modules on the application individual complaints procedures, the Regional of international human rights standards, the Office compiled the views adopted by the treaty justiciability of economic, social and cultural bodies on cases related to the six countries rights, as well as other topics. The Judicial covered by the Office. This compilation will Academy agreed to integrate the substance of

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the courses into the official curricula for future In Chile, the Government signed the United judges. In Peru, although the Regional Office has Nations Development Assistance Framework held several courses for students of the Judicial 2015-2018. The UNDAF applied the main Academy, the Academy has not reviewed the principles of a human rights-based approach curricula to ensure the inclusion of a permanent and included some UPR recommendations as human rights component. clear goals and indicators of various outcomes. uu National Preventive Mechanisms against torture The UNDAF also included an annex with the are functioning in conformity with international main recommendations issued by the human human rights standards in at least three countries rights mechanisms relating to each specific (EA 3) national priority. This represents the first The Regional Office actively promoted the UNDAF in the region which explicitly included establishment and functioning of National the recommendations issued by human rights Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) in accordance mechanisms as a part of the main document with international human rights standards in signed by the Government. The Regional Office all countries of the region that have ratified the actively participated in its drafting and advised Optional Protocol to the Convention against the United Nations Country Team on the human Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading rights-based approach. Treatment or Punishment. It has done so by undertaking a variety of activities, including Regional Office for South America issuing a publication on NPMs in Latin America (Santiago, Chile): Expenditure in 2014 with the Association for the Prevention of Torture. The publication provides a comparative analysis Regular budget Extrabudgetary expenditure expenditure of NPMs from the region as well as information in US$ in US$ on their structure, composition and coordination Personnel and 712,441 232,503 with civil society actors. The publication was related costs widely distributed to relevant State officials, Consultants - 100,697 NPMs and civil society actors from the region Official travel 10,200 85,603 during a regional seminar convened in October Contractual services - 14,866 by the Association for the Prevention of Torture General operating 119,500 25,864 in Panama. Since September, the Regional Office expenses collaborated with various entities in Chile, Supplies and 8,400 26,374 including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of materials the Presidency, the NHRI and the University of Seminars, grants and 30,600 - Chile, to hold working group discussions on the contributions establishment of an NPM. In Argentina and Brazil, Subtotal 881,141 485,908 the Office enhanced the capacity of NPMs at the Programme support - 63,168 State and federal levels to function in compliance costs with international human rights standards by GRAND TOTAL 881,141 549,076 undertaking country missions to meet with relevant authorities and civil society members. In Peru, the Congress passed legislation designating the NHRI as the NPM in December. The Regional Office previously advocated for the adoption of the draft law through various high-level meetings, seminars and in letters and position papers addressed to the Congress. At the request of the Congress, the Regional Office provided legal advice on the draft law.

Integrating Human rights in development and in the economic sphere uu United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela incorporate a human

rights-based approach (EA 11) © Prensa Presidencia de la República Chile Members of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice meet with the President of Chile.

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Human Rights Component in a Enhancing equality and countering UN Peace Mission discrimination uu Increased openness to recognizing equal treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and to discussing legislation for United Nations Stabilization Mission in the recognition of their rights (EA 1) Haiti Members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) groups in several regions Year established 2004 approached the HRS with cases of alleged Staff as of 31 December 2014 44 violations of their rights, leading to reporting and advocacy activities undertaken by the Office. Earlier in the year, the HRS initiated collaboration programmes with NGOs working on the rights of Results LGBTI persons to increase their capacity in relation to monitoring, investigating and reporting human Strengthening international human rights rights violations. The HRS also facilitated contacts mechanisms between LGBTI persons and national human rights uu Fully functioning and effective participatory actors, including the Minister Delegate for Human standing national coordinating body on Rights, the Interministerial Committee for Human reporting/replying to individual communications Rights and with police and justice representatives. and enquiries; and integrated follow-up This contributed to the beginning of a dialogue to recommendations of all human rights between Government and LGBTI representatives. mechanisms (EA 6) uu Protection measures for persons living with Through its participation in the Interministerial disabilities enshrined in national legislation (EA 4) Committee for Human Rights, the Human Rights On 4 April, the Government established an Section (HRS) of the United Nations Stabilization interministerial monitoring committee with regard Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) contributed to the to disabilities. The committee will work to ensure finalization and submission of the State Party coordination and harmonization of and follow-up report to the Committee on the Elimination of to public policies in support of the full integration Discrimination against Women, which also took of persons with disabilities. The HRS collaborated into consideration the views of civil society. In with the Office of the Secretary of State for the addition, the Universal Periodic Review midterm Integration of Persons with Disabilities on the report was prepared in consultation with civil drafting of two bills: one for the establishment of society at a national workshop supported by a solidarity fund for persons with disabilities and the HRS and was subsequently submitted to another related to the amendment of the Labor the Human Rights Council in May. A number Code to incorporate provisions on the integration of UPR recommendations were implemented of persons with disabilities. The bills have not yet in 2014, including the entry into force of the been submitted to Parliament. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the signing of the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance and the Inter-American Convention against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance in June; and the promulgation of the Laws on Trafficking in Persons and on Paternity, Maternity and Filiation. Abassi © UN Photo/Logan uu Positive response to requests of special procedures mandate-holders to visit the country (EA 6) In 2014, the Government of Haiti accepted two requests for visits by special procedures mandate- holders. The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons visited Haiti from 29 June to 5 July and the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti visited the country from 15 to 22 July. Human rights publications distributed during a public event organized by MINUSTAH to mark Human Rights Day in Port-au- Prince, December 2014.

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Integrating human rights in development and in u Special UN Security Operations planning the economic sphere increasingly takes human rights and rule of law u The next Integrated Strategic Framework or United concerns into account (EA 11) Nations Development Assistance Framework fully OHCHR took part in a UN mission deployed to integrates human rights standards and principles MINUSTAH in May to review existing mechanisms (EA 11) that are in place to share information on alleged The Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) human rights abuses between MINUSTAH underwent a thorough revision in 2014. Its matrix components and for the implementation of the for 2015-2016 was revised with the support of Human Rights Due Diligence Policy. Following the HRS through its participation in the regular the mission, standard operating procedures for meetings of the United Nations Country Team. the military, police and human rights components As of the end of 2014, the draft ISF was nearly of MINUSTAH regarding information sharing and ready for sharing with the Government. The actions to prevent and respond to human rights HRS was part of ongoing discussions on the violations were signed and issued by the Special transition of the UN presence in Haiti from a Representative of the Secretary-General of the large peacekeeping mission to a smaller office, United Nations in Haiti in December. They will be including through the transfer of key programme rolled out to all UN military and police units in 2015. responsibilities to the Government, UNCT and civil society. NGOs participate in Haiti’s first appearance before the Human Rights Committee Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity In October 2014, Haiti made its first appearance before u Humanitarian and human rights protection is the Human Rights Committee. The Government ratified mainstreamed into the response of the Department the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights for Protection of Civilians to natural disasters so in 1991, but its first report was not submitted until that potential access to aid is commensurate and 2012. A nine-member delegation, led by the Minister adapted to the specific vulnerabilities of victims/ Delegate for Human Rights and the Fight against beneficiaries (EA 3) Extreme Poverty, made the trip to Geneva to attend The 2014 flooding showed that although the Committee’s session on 9 and 10 October. A key appropriate protection mechanisms are in place part of the reporting process is the participation of civil in Haiti, there is also a need to institutionalize society, however, in many cases, representatives are the functions of the departmental protection focal unable to attend the meetings as a result of financial points, who currently belong to several public limitations. In this regard, and as part of an overall institutions and contribute to the protection work objective to increase civil society’s engagement with on a voluntary basis. With the support of the the international human rights treaty bodies, OHCHR HRS, the Global Protection Cluster conducted a approached embassies in Port-au-Prince, seeking week-long training in September on coordinating support for NGO representatives to travel to Geneva. tools for focal points from nine of Haiti’s 10 As a result of positive responses from Switzerland departments. The HRS also carried out two-day and the United Kingdom, four NGO leaders received consultations with protection focal points in funding to spend an intensive week of learning in nine departments and ensured that the rights of Geneva. They joined two other NGO representatives persons with disabilities were integrated into their who were supported by the Centre for Civil and work plans. Political Rights and together, the six representatives u Protection efforts of the UN and international made a robust delegation. In Geneva, they met with NGOs are well coordinated following the transition Committee members for a short briefing session and from the Protection Cluster system (EA 11) also attended the official hearing. According to one of As a result of coordination within the Protection the participants, “NGO participation in Geneva was Cluster, an agreement was reached between the crucial to understanding the examination process and National Identification Office, the IOM and the to see the reaction of the Committee members and the Organization of American States to ensure mobile Haitian delegation. […T]he presence of NGOs surprised voter registration units were functioning in the the Haitian delegation and they were obliged to take most populated internally displaced persons our attendance into account, which we believe had an camps to promote greater participation in the next impact on their answers to the Committee.” elections. Special consultation meetings were held with the Humanitarian Country Team and Cluster members on the closure of the Protection Cluster in December.

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Human Rights Advisers in Ecuador

United Nations Country Teams Year established 2007 - (The field presence Staff as of 31 December 2014 closed in March 2015)

Dominican Republic Results Year established 2014 Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 Strengthening international human rights mechanisms uu Mechanism for integrated reporting and Results implementation of recommendations is in place and functioning (EA 6) Strengthening international human rights In 2014, the Human Rights Adviser (HRA) mechanisms promoted the establishment of a coordinating uu Establishment of a participatory standing national body during meetings with the Ministry of Justice coordinating body on reporting/replying to and advised on the human and financial resources individual communications and enquiries; and needed for the mechanism, including other actors integrated follow-up to recommendations of all such as the Office of the Ombudsman and civil human rights mechanisms (EA 6) society representatives. The HRA contributed In February, State institutions and civil society to the development of an information system organizations from the Dominican Republic (SIDERECHOS), launched on 10 December, participated in the country’s second cycle which contains a search engine of constitutional of the Universal Periodic Review. OHCHR and international standards applicable to the 73 and UNDP enabled the participation of civil rights guaranteed in the Constitution; maintains society organizations by providing advice and national human rights reports dating back to facilitating training. Many of these organizations 1971; facilitates information sharing for the also submitted individual and joint reports. preparation of State reports for regional and Furthermore, the Human Rights Adviser, who international human rights mechanisms; and arrived in August 2014, collaborated with key facilitates the monitoring of the implementation of civil society organizations to create a permanent recommendations received by Ecuador. coordination mechanism in late 2014. The uu Increased number of substantive submissions to objective of the mechanism is to strengthen international human rights mechanisms by civil the capacities of civil society organizations and society actors (EA 7) improve their coordination, including with different The HRA facilitated the participation of civil UN agencies and the Government, in order to society organizations in the drafting process of two facilitate the implementation of recommendations State Party reports for the Committee on Enforced issued by the human rights mechanisms. In Disappearances and the Committee against addition, a mechanism was launched on 10 Torture. The HRA also held a number of training December to engage the Government and civil activities to increase the interaction of these society organizations in dialogue related to the organizations with the human rights mechanisms. development of a national human rights plan. Enhancing equality and countering discrimination uu The National Human Rights Institution, Ministries of Health and Education, the Constitutional Court, the judiciary and the National Assembly developed policies in compliance with human rights standards to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (EA 4) A public policy on the rights of LGBTI persons was developed by an interministerial task force and its approval and implementation is planned for 2015. The HRA supported the drafting process

© OHCHR/Dominican Republic by conducting an analysis of the normative Commemoration of Human Rights Day in the Dominican Republic, framework on LGBTI rights and designing and December 2014.

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implementing a methodology to enhance the The UNDAF 2014-2017, signed by the participation of civil society organizations in the Government, includes work on sensitive human development of the policy. As a member of the rights issues such as civil society participation, task force, the HRA supported the development violence against women and countering of an online training course on LGBTI rights discrimination. The HRA was part of the UNDAF addressed to public servants. In addition, OHCHR reference group and provided technical assistance launched UN’s Free & Equal campaign through an on a human rights-based approach throughout event co-organized with the UNCT, the Ministries the drafting process. of Public Health and of Justice, Human Rights and Religious Affairs, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Quito Municipality and various civil society organizations. Representatives of the above- Honduras mentioned institutions signed a joint declaration that called on each signing party to strengthen its Year established 2010 efforts to eradicate discrimination and violence Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 faced by LGTBI persons. uu The National Human Rights Institution, the Ministry of Defence, the national police, the Results judiciary and the Constitutional Court improved their compliance with international human rights Strengthening international human rights standards (EA 4) mechanisms The HRA worked with the Ministry of uu Increased number of substantive submissions to Environment, staff of the United Nations the human rights mechanisms by national human Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions rights institutions and civil society organizations from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN- (EA 7) REDD) and NGOs for the inclusion of the right In 2014, two parallel reports were submitted to free, prior and informed consent as part of the by two Afro-Honduran organizations to domestic regulations to approve REDD+ projects the Committee on the Elimination of Racial in Ecuador (i.e., projects working on deforestation Discrimination. Furthermore, the HRA delivered and forest degradation issues, including the a training session, in June, to representatives of sustainable management of forests). 17 civil society organizations on the elaboration In coordination with the Ministry of Justice, of stakeholder reports for the second cycle of Human Rights and Religious Affairs, the HRA the Universal Periodic Review. In total, 18 UPR produced a manual for training on collective rights reports from local NGOs and the national human addressed to the NHRI, the national police and the rights institution were submitted to the Human armed forces. The validation and implementation Rights Council. of the manual is planned for 2015. Enhancing equality and countering Integrating human rights in development and in discrimination the economic sphere uu A National Plan against Racial Discrimination uu Public policies on economic, social and cultural is in place and implemented by the Ministry of rights are formulated, monitored and evaluated Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Hondurans (EA 4) in line with international human rights standards After conducting a second round of consultations (EA 1) with the nine indigenous and Afro-Honduran In keeping with advice provided by the HRA, communities of the country, the Ministry of the Strategy for Inclusion and Equality in Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Hondurans finalized relation to the policy on Superior Education the draft national policy against racism and racial included international human rights standards discrimination and presented it on the occasion of on education, disabilities, gender and collective the International Day of the World’s Indigenous rights. Training modules were designed to Peoples on 9 August. The Government has not facilitate the implementation of the policy and yet considered the Policy for its approval. will be implemented in 2015. uu UNCT substantially incorporates a human Combating impunity and strengthening rights-based approach into the analysis, design, accountability and the rule of law implementation and monitoring of the United uu Human rights included in the curricula of Nations Development Assistance Framework training programmes for judges, prosecutors and (EA 11) penitentiary personnel (EA 1)

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A total of 90 judges, prosecutors and public Jamaica defenders successfully completed the Diploma on Human Rights and National and International Year established 2014 Protection Mechanisms, delivered by the HRA Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 in cooperation with the University for Peace. In addition, a total of 173 people completed the Diploma on the Prevention of Torture and Results Protection of Human Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty, designed by the HRA. This included Strengthening international human rights individuals from the Attorney General’s Office, mechanisms the National Penitentiary Institute, the Transition uu Establishment of a participatory standing national Commission for the Penitentiary System, the coordinating body on reporting/replying to Ombudsman’s Office, the National Preventive individual communications and enquiries; and Mechanism and civil society organizations. integrated follow-up to recommendations of all human rights mechanisms and timely submission Widening the democratic space of reports to treaty bodies and the Universal uu A protection mechanism for human rights Periodic Review (EA 6) defenders and journalists is in place (EA 3) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade The National Congress reviewed the bill on the agreed to establish a database to systematically protection of human rights defenders, journalists, follow-up on the recommendations issued by social communicators and justice operators, but its the UPR, human rights treaty bodies and special final approval is on hold until financial resources procedures. With the support of the HRA, a are identified and allocated for the creation of a project to work on a pilot database will be protection mechanism. The HRA provided advice implemented in 2015. to and advocated with the National Congress on the proposed bill. Enhancing equality and countering discrimination Early warning and protection of human rights uu Human rights-based approach incorporated into in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS (EA 4) uu Special Attorney’s Office for Women duly The HRA was deployed during the final stages of investigates cases of sexual and gender-based discussion on the Integrated Sexual Reproductive violence in compliance with international human Health and HIV Programme (2014-2019). rights standards (EA 1) Nevertheless, through UNAIDS and UNDP, the The HRA, in cooperation with UNDP, designed HRA provided comments to the version that was and delivered a manual on conducting made available in September. The Programme has investigations to the Special Attorney’s Office for not yet been adopted by the Ministry of Health. Women. Training of prosecutors is still needed in order to ensure that the manual is efficiently used. Integrating human rights in development and in uu Human rights included in the curricula of training the economic sphere programmes for public security forces (EA 1) uu Common country programming documents, While the academic programme of a diploma namely the 2012-2016 and 2017-2021 United in human rights and international humanitarian Nations Development Assistance Frameworks, law was designed by the HRA for the Honduras developed and implemented in line with a human Defence University, its implementation did not rights-based approach (EA 11) take place before the end of the year. At the meeting of the UNDAF Steering Committee, the Resident Coordinator announced the creation of a UN joint programme on human rights that will be implemented in 2015. In addition, the HRA contributed to the increased knowledge of members of the UNCT by facilitating two training activities that focused on the Human Rights Up Front initiative, a human rights-based approach and human rights indicators.

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Widening the democratic space Paraguay uu Action plan prepared for the establishment of a national human rights institution (EA 1) Year established 2010 The UNCT implemented a programme to support Staff as of 31 December 2014 2 the creation of a national human rights institution. The HRA provided guidance to the UNCT on the international standards in relation to NHRIs. Results

Early warning and protection of human rights Strengthening international human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity mechanisms uu Commission of inquiry is established and uu Increased compliance and engagement of the State functioning in line with international human in the follow-up to international recommendations rights standards (EA 1) (EA 6) The Commission of Inquiry held the first public With the technical support of the HRA, the hearings on 1 December. Additional hearings will be executive, legislative and judicial branches, held until April 2015. The HRA was involved in the the Attorney General and the Ombudsman preparation of UNDP’s project on Citizen Security collaborated to develop an inter-institutional and Social Cohesion in Jamaica, provided assistance mechanism to follow up, monitor and report on to the Commission of Inquiry and submitted inputs the recommendations issued by the regional and in relation to the Commission’s strategy document. international human rights mechanisms in relation Moreover, the HRA participated in the organization to Paraguay. As a result of this process, an online of a workshop in October that was targeted to the recommendations reporting system (SIMORE) media and outlined a communication strategy to was developed to allow for the uploading of disseminate information on the work, processes and recommendations received by Paraguay and results of the Commission. to provide information on follow-up to their implementation, including on State institutions in charge of implementation, relevant policies and programmes and related actions, indicators and challenges. SIMORE was previously used by the Government to prepare and submit a midterm report to the UPR and a State Party report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. © OHCHR/Paraguay Judges participate at an OHCHR workshop for the development of fair trial indicators in Paraguay, July 2014.

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uu Civil society supports participatory mechanisms particularly against indigenous peoples, women, to enhance equality and counter discrimination, persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, particularly against indigenous peoples, women, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (EA 5) persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, With the technical advice of the HRA, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (EA 7) CODEHUPY and Panambi, an NGO working In 2014, at least 11 reports were submitted on the rights of transgender persons, prepared by NGOs to the human rights treaty bodies, collaborative work plans and awareness-raising special procedures and the UPR, representing a campaigns on issues relating to discrimination significant increase over 2013 when seven reports and human rights. The Adviser also provided were submitted. In addition, a shadow report support to Panambi in preparing a draft law on was submitted to the Committee on Enforced gender identity. Furthermore, the HRA worked Disappearances by the Coordinator for Human with the UNCT and civil society organizations Rights in Paraguay (CODEHUPY), a national to launch the campaign, DH, desde 1948. Son network of human rights organizations. The para protegerte (Human Rights, since 1948. HRA provided assistance to the network with They are there to protect you). The campaign the preparation of their submission and to other partnered with the art, fashion and human rights NGOs in their submissions to the Committee on communities in order to widely promote a culture Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The HRA of human rights among the population. Clothing carried out several training activities for NGOs products, featuring designs related to 13 human on various human rights topics, including the rights, were produced by well-known local artists use of regional and international human rights and distributed to more than 4,000 persons who mechanisms. It should also be noted that SIMORE took short human rights tests at the itinerant was used by NGOs as a reference tool to evaluate stores that were opened for the campaign. The the State’s implementation of its international initiative was widely broadcast in the local media. commitments and in particular by CODEHUPY for the preparation of its annual report regarding the Combating impunity and strengthening human rights situation in Paraguay. accountability and the rule of law uu Enhanced systematic engagement by the United uu Functioning protection and accountability Nations Country Team with international human mechanisms to prevent and monitor the rights mechanisms (EA 11) investigation of allegations of torture and ill- Under the coordination of the HRA, the UNCT treatment and violations of the rights of persons prepared and submitted a report to CESCR in the deprived of their liberty (EA 3) context of the country’s review by the Committee. Advice was provided by OHCHR for the design The UNCT approved its 2014 work plan, which of a tool to compile information on the situation prioritized advocacy on and follow-up to the of persons deprived of their liberty, following a implementation of recommendations issued by specific recommendation from the Subcommittee the human rights mechanisms. The HRA also on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, assisted with the integration of a human rights- Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. based approach in the UNDAF 2015-2019, which The tool has not yet been reviewed or approved was subsequently approved by the Government. by the relevant authorities.

Enhancing equality and countering Widening the democratic space discrimination uu Policies, particularly of the National Secretariat uu Legislation and policies against all forms for the human rights of people with disabilities, the of discrimination increasingly comply with Paraguay Indigenous Institute and the Ministry international standards, particularly in relation of Education increasingly respect, protect and to women, persons with disabilities, indigenous guarantee human rights standards (EA 1) peoples and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender In coordination with the Paraguay Indigenous and intersex persons (EA 4) Institute, the HRA organized a series of meetings The UNCT and the HRA advocated for the with indigenous leaders from 19 communities approval of legislation prohibiting all forms of to discuss and agree on proposals relating to discrimination. Although the draft was rejected by land, governance and free, prior and informed the Parliament, the holding of a public discussion consultation. The proposals were subsequently on the issue after many years of drafting could be shared with relevant State authorities. considered as a positive step. Additionally, the first public policy on the rights uu Civil society supports participatory mechanisms of persons with disabilities is under development, to enhance equality and counter discrimination, in consultation with civil society and persons

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with disabilities and with the technical support of on land, free, prior and informed consultation OHCHR. and governance. These interactions also led u Increased participation in public life of women to the design of a protocol to ensure their full and discriminated groups, particularly indigenous and active participation in the implementation peoples and persons with disabilities (EA 5) of social policies on poverty eradication that With the technical support of the HRA, women have been approved by the Secretary for and discriminated groups increased their Social Action. Furthermore, as members of the participation in policy design and public life. National Commission on Disabilities, persons For example, as a result of discussions held with with disabilities are now fully involved in the the Paraguay Indigenous Institute, indigenous preparation of the country’s first public policy on leaders presented State authorities with proposals the rights of persons with disabilities.

Joining art and fashion for human rights

Many people in Paraguay are well-known local artists. The clothes victims of gender-based violence, unaware of the general concept of were on display at a pop-up store and the right to freedom of expression human rights. To overcome this on a webpage that was specifically and the right to education. In obstacle, OHCHR paired up with a designed for the campaign (available addition, local celebrities, artists and number of civil society organizations at derechoshumanos.org.py), but journalists joined the campaign to and launched a creative awareness- were not for sale. Instead, they were help disseminate the human rights raising campaign called DH, desde distributed to approximately 4,000 messages through the media and 1948. Son para protegerte (Human individuals who participated in short their social networks. After Human Rights, since 1948. They are there human rights tests. Rights Day, when all of the clothing to protect you) that combined art, had been distributed, the campaign Television and radio spots and social fashion and human rights messages. released a final spot with the media postings were also used to message: El stock es limitado, pero More specifically, the campaign promote the campaign. The spots tus derechos son para siempre (The kicked off with the release of a limited highlighted the personal experiences stock is limited, but your rights are collection of clothing products that of various individuals who had forever). featured designs related to human claimed their rights, including in rights issues that were created by relation to the right to a fair trial for © OHCHR/Paraguay Promotional material developed for the awareness-raising campaign.

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Type of presence Location In 2014, OHCHR actively worked towards the

Country office OO Cambodia promotion and protection of human rights in the

Regional offices OO Pacific (Suva, Fiji) Asia-Pacific region. A number of significant human OO South-East Asia (Bangkok, Thailand) rights challenges were present in several countries,

Human rights OO Afghanistan (UNAMA) including the protracted human rights crisis in component in Rakhine state in Myanmar; mass demonstrations UN Peace Mission in Cambodia and Hong Kong; the military coup Human rights advisers OO Bangladesh** and its aftermath in Thailand; the increasing toll in United Nations OO Maldives* Country Teams on civilian lives resulting from the conflict in OO Papua New Guinea Afghanistan and terrorist and sectarian violence in OO Philippines** Pakistan; and unresolved issues of accountability OO Sri Lanka for past abuses in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Elections OO Thailand (UNDG Regional Human Rights Adviser for Asia-Pacific)** were successfully held in Fiji, ending nearly a OO Timor-Leste** decade of military government and a national * Closed in 2014 unity government emerged in Afghanistan. Several ** Human Rights Adviser deployed through the UNDG Human Rights Working countries introduced restrictions to the application Group

214 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: ASIA AND THE PACIFIC of the death penalty, but the number of executions Country Office increased in other countries. In many instances, governmental attempts to stem the cross-regional movement of irregular migrants and asylum-seekers included refoulement, detention and offshore Cambodia processing schemes, particularly in Australia and Year established 1993 the Pacific. Staff as of 31 December 2014 26 OHCHR supported the special procedures country Expenditure in 2014 US$2,321,892 mandates established by the Human Rights Council on Cambodia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran and Myanmar. Results A major focus was placed on the follow-up to the Commission of Inquiry on human rights in Strengthening international human rights the DPRK, which reported to the Human Rights mechanisms Council in March, and its recommendation for uu The International Convention on the Protection the establishment of a field-based structure for of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members ongoing work on the DPRK. The structure will of Their Families, the Second Optional Protocol be opened in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in 2015. to the International Covenant on Civil and The situation in the DPRK was discussed for the Political Rights and at least one other individual first time in the Security Council in December. communications procedure ratified (EA 2) Furthermore, OHCHR initiated an investigation on In 2014, the Government accepted a number past violations in Sri Lanka as mandated by the of recommendations issued by the Universal Human Rights Council in March and continued Periodic Review (UPR) on the ratification of the its existing activities to provide follow-up to the International Convention on the Protection of the recommendations made in previous reports of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Council. Their Families. Nonetheless, the interministerial working group in charge of preparing for the OHCHR maintained 11 field presences in Asia and ratification did not convene during the year. the Pacific: two regional offices (the Pacific and uu The Cambodian Human Rights Committee South-East Asia); one country office (Cambodia); coordinates the implementation of the 2014 seven human rights advisers within United Nations UPR and the 2015 Human Rights Committee Country Teams (UNCTs) (Bangladesh4, Maldives4, recommendations (EA 6) Papua New Guinea, the Philippines4, Sri Lanka, In November, the Cambodian Human Timor-Leste4 and a United Nations Development Rights Committee and OHCHR convened a Group (UNDG) regional human rights adviser for national workshop to disseminate the UPR Asia-Pacific based in Bangkok4); and one human recommendations among governmental entities, rights component within a UN peace mission members of the UNCT and NGOs. At the (Afghanistan). Although the post of Human Rights workshop, the Committee led a process whereby Adviser in the Maldives was discontinued during responsible government entities were identified 2014, OHCHR provided increased support to UNCTs for the implementation of each recommendation. in the region, including through the deployment of uu Civil society organizations and UN entities, new human rights advisers and ongoing assistance in particular UN Women and UNICEF, submit extended to the UNCT in Nepal on human rights reports to treaty bodies, including the Human mainstreaming. OHCHR also prepared the ground Rights Committee, the Committee on the Rights for the establishment of the field-based structure of Persons with Disabilities and the Committee in Seoul and undertook long-term mission against Torture, and use the individual complaints deployments of field staff in Myanmar and the procedure of the Convention on the Elimination of Philippines (as part of the humanitarian response to All Forms of Discrimination against Women (EA 7) Typhoon Haiyan). For the first time, the UNCT made a joint submission to a treaty body, namely the Human The Deputy High Commissioner visited Cambodia Rights Committee, in anticipation of the adoption in May. of the list of issues related to Cambodia’s second periodic report. The submission was prepared by the newly established Human Rights Theme Group, which is currently chaired by OHCHR. At least eight submissions were also made to 4 Deployed through the UNDG Human Rights Working Group.

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the Human Rights Committee by civil society trial rights (EA 1) organizations. OHCHR, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and Combating impunity and strengthening the Bar Association collaborated to develop a accountability and the rule of law compulsory human rights course for all trainee uu All prisons under the authority of the Ministry of lawyers. In November, the course was delivered Interior improve compliance with international to the 2014 class of trainee lawyers by OHCHR, human rights standards (EA 1) the Raoul Wallenberg Institute and trainers from During monitoring visits to several prisons, the Lawyers Training Centre. With regard to the OHCHR witnessed an improvement in the Cambodia Royal Academy for Judicial Professions, treatment of prisoners. In partnership with the President of the Academy agreed that OHCHR the General Department of Prisons, OHCHR and the Institute could organize a human rights contributed to the improvement of detention course for the next group of trainee judges conditions through, inter alia, the upgrading which will be recruited in the summer of 2015. of water and sanitation infrastructure and the He suggested that the same course could be distribution of hygiene supplies. The General organized for a group of current judges from all Department of Prisons and OHCHR also worked courts in the spring of 2015. together to ensure better respect for the right to uu A National Preventive Mechanism against torture health of prisoners, including through the creation is established and functioning to monitor places of secure rooms in several provincial hospitals. of detention in compliance with the Optional Furthermore, the General Department of Prisons Protocol to the Convention against Torture and adopted a five-year Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or which incorporated OHCHR’s comments. Punishment (EA 3) uu Improved compliance of the Code of Criminal Following advocacy undertaken by OHCHR Procedure, the Criminal Code, the Law on the and the Subcommittee on Prevention of Bar Association and the Juvenile Justice Law with Torture during their visit in December 2013, international human rights standards relating to the Government of Cambodia recognized the legislation (EA 1) shortcomings in the current governmental body Despite sustained advocacy undertaken in charge of preventing torture. Nevertheless, it by OHCHR, the Special Rapporteur on the has not committed to establishing an independent situation of human rights in Cambodia, the mechanism in accordance with the Optional Special Rapporteur on the independence of Protocol to the Convention against Torture judges, development partners and civil society and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading organizations, the Government did not make Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT). In fact, most public the final drafts of the three fundamental recommendations pertaining to such a mechanism laws on the judiciary until they were presented were deferred by the Government during the to the National Assembly, which adopted them second cycle of the UPR in relation to Cambodia. in May. Some of the comments submitted by uu Allegations of torture and ill-treatment by the OHCHR were incorporated in the final draft of the police, including military police, are promptly law on the organization of courts. Little progress investigated and where confirmed, appropriate was made on the revision of the Law on the Bar action is taken by police chiefs and prosecutors Association as the Working Group only convened (EA 3) once, in July. On the Code of Criminal Procedure, Following a series of targeted training sessions OHCHR and the Ministry of Justice organized and the dissemination of materials, prosecutors a series of five round-tables with judges, and police officers, especially in north-west prosecutors and lawyers in various provinces provinces, are now aware of international and collected inputs for possible amendments. standards on torture and ill-treatment. A number The Ministry of Justice made sustained efforts of prosecutors, together with OHCHR, conducted to reform the pre-trial detention process, most their first visits to district police stations and notably by requiring judges to provide reasoning conducted regular visits to prisons in all in decisions when defendants are remanded to provinces of Cambodia. Allegations of torture pre-trial detention. Most judges and prosecutors, and ill-treatment by the police, however, are not both in Phnom Penh and the provinces, are now systematically taken up by prosecutors. In one familiar with this new requirement. case involving three men who had allegedly been uu The Lawyers Training Centre and the Cambodia ill-treated by the police following their arrest, Royal Academy for Judicial Professions include a OHCHR contacted a lawyer who was willing to human rights training module focusing on fair take the case to court and followed up with the

216 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: ASIA AND THE PACIFIC © OHCHR/Cambodia OHCHR staff members visit an indigenous group in Areng Valley, Koh Kong Province, Cambodia.

Prosecutor. The case was prosecuted and the dealing with problems related to economic land relevant police officers were eventually found concessions and the alleged illegal occupation of guilty, although on less serious charges. This is an State land. In addition, a new National Housing important breakthrough which will hopefully lead Policy was adopted in 2014 which focused on to the prosecution of more cases. providing tenure security and adequate housing for poor and middle-income families. The Ministry Integrating human rights in development and in of Land Management, Urban Planning and the economic sphere Construction established a General Department uu Relevant institutions, namely the Ministry of Land on Housing to work with the Ministry of Interior Management, Urban Planning and Construction, to implement the policy. Through its participation the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of in the Technical Working Group on Land, OHCHR Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of worked with different ministries to advocate Interior and the Ministry of Rural Development, for compliance with international human rights apply human rights principles and standards in standards in the design and implementation of handling land issues (EA 1) policies and programmes on land, housing and The Government established two joint working natural resources. It also advocated for holding groups to coordinate efforts between different ministries to account on the Joint Monitoring ministries in relation to issues of law enforcement Indicators in accordance with the National on economic land concessions, natural resource Strategic Development Plan. management and the creation of a State land uu Existing dispute resolution mechanisms, including database. Together with development partners the courts, improve their compliance with human and civil society organizations, the Office has rights standards in handling land issues (EA 3) advocated for many years on the increased The existing dispute resolution mechanisms, coordination of government institutions on these including the courts, were inconsistent in their issues. While the issuing of land titles was not handling of land issues and operated without consistently implemented by the Government in transparency and with limited accountability. 2014, the working groups are a positive step in The courts generally prioritized claims filed by

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influential business owners and large companies OHCHR participated in a number of meetings on involved in land disputes over those filed at the the draft trade union law and advocated with the same time by poor communities. Those claims Ministry of Labour, in coordination with ILO, for were routinely ignored. Land rights activists faced the revision of the draft to ensure its compliance physical threats, intimidation and imprisonment with international human rights standards on and there was an increase in the number of freedom of association. A new draft has not yet violent forced evictions of individuals, families been released. and communities in 2014. OHCHR monitored uu Subnational government use of human rights and intervened in demonstrations and protests standards and principles in applying the Law on related to land and housing in order to prevent peaceful demonstrations (EA 1) violence, seek a negotiated outcome and secure Subnational authorities are increasingly aware the release of individuals who had been arbitrarily of their duties under the Law on peaceful detained. OHCHR also engaged in the facilitation demonstrations. OHCHR and the Ministry of of dialogue, court monitoring and provision of Interior co-published a pocket-sized information legal advice to communities. card that was widely distributed. Furthermore, uu Rights-holders meaningfully participate in the OHCHR and the Ministry of Interior agreed to design of public policy related to land and housing co-organize a series of provincial dialogues and the management of natural resources (EA 5) between subnational authorities and civil society With the support of OHCHR, minority groups, organizations on the freedoms of assembly including representatives of indigenous and and expression. The first dialogue took place informal communities from urban and rural areas, in Mondulkiri in December. During 2014, participated in two public consultation workshops OHCHR monitored demonstrations throughout on the new draft law on environmental impact the country to ensure that the Law on peaceful assessment. The Office also worked to improve demonstrations was applied in accordance with the participation of women in selected public international standards. processes and promote women’s rights to land, uu Civil society organizations substantially reinforce tenure security and adequate housing. In November, their own protection system (EA 3) OHCHR distributed the Khmer language translation Civil society organizations in Cambodia are well of the OHCHR publication, entitled Women and the organized and work closely with OHCHR on a Right to Adequate Housing. In December, OHCHR number of issues. On several occasions, OHCHR organized a regional workshop on women’s human helped coordinate their interventions to address rights defenders working on land-related human specific situations, increased the capacity of new rights issues and collaborated with UN Women organizations working on the rights of lesbian, to consult with female housing rights activists gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) and victims of forced evictions on women’s right persons and of journalists by training them on to adequate housing. OHCHR also provided human rights monitoring and fact-finding. indigenous communities with technical assistance on achieving communal land titles and joined Cambodia: Expenditure in 2014 advocacy efforts for the promotion of indigenous Regular budget Extrabudgetary land rights. In March, an indigenous Por community expenditure expenditure filed its application for communal land title with the in US$ in US$ General Department of Cadastre and Geography Personnel and 1,058,411 407,405 and in April, three indigenous Suoy communities related costs filed applications for communal land titles. For Consultants - 67,094 more than two years, OHCHR worked with the Official travel 5,200 62,762 communities, the Ministry of Rural Development, Contractual services 4,988 131,380 the Ministry of Interior, the ILO and civil society General operating 141,335 13,480 partners to complete the various stages of legal expenses registration and develop the community applications Supplies and 41,297 94,020 for communal land titles. materials Seminars, grants and 2,900 168,780 Widening the democratic space contributions uu Improved compliance with international human Subtotal 1,254,130 944,922 rights standards of legislation in the areas of Programme support - 122,840 freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful costs assembly and association (EA 1) GRAND TOTAL 1,254,130 1,067,762

218 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Vietnamese asylum seekers rescued from Cambodian forests

For nearly two months, a group question. Local security forces also forward at a certain time and place. of eight Vietnamese Montagnards created obstacles for the mission, The second group of five took longer had been living in the forest of including by blocking the roads since they had been apprehended north-eastern Cambodia. When leading into the woods where the by the provincial police and were approached by OHCHR to determine group was believed to be hiding, being held at a police station. They why they had crossed the border into preventing them from being found. were eventually turned over to the Cambodia, one of the individuals After many delays, a meeting finally joint team. The Montagnards are responded, “To apply for asylum. We took place with a provincial governor now with the Refugee Department are treated badly for practicing our who continued to insist that the of the Ministry of Interior and religion.” They also indicated they mission required authorization UNHCR has made arrangements for were in hiding because they were in order to proceed. At the same their accommodation. afraid of being arrested and deported time, sources were reporting that back to Viet Nam. Montagnards are a the health situation was becoming When the OHCHR representative loose denomination of approximately precarious for many members of the was asked why it had taken so 30 ethnic tribes facing persecution group, including due to the possible much time and effort to retrieve in Viet Nam because of their religious contraction of dengue fever and 13 people from the forest in beliefs. malaria. The police roadblock was Cambodia, she responded that there also limiting their ability to obtain was a real fear for their safety if they The journey to find the Montagnards food from nearby villages. were deported back to Viet Nam. was a long and complicated The representative also noted that process that required considerable Despite these setbacks, OHCHR the situation provides a concrete diplomatic assistance as well and officials from the Cambodian example for provincial officials who as physical stamina. OHCHR Ministry of the Interior stayed on. may be tempted to deport asylum- and colleagues from the UN They let it be known through the seekers before fully understanding High Commissioner for Refugees media, NGOs and villagers that their intentions, which happens spent weeks trying to negotiate with the team was ready to assist the from time to time. It therefore central and provincial authorities Montagnards if they presented also serves to remind provincial who insisted that the joint mission themselves. Through an anonymous officials that they too must abide by to find the group required special phone call, they learned that the international human rights law. authorization to enter the area in first group of eight would come

Regional Offices or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by Myanmar (EA 2) Regional Office for South-East Asia In preparation for Thailand’s first review under (Bangkok, Thailand) the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Year established 2002 (CAT), the Regional Office provided technical Staff as of 31 December 2014 16 support to the Government. The review of Expenditure in 2014 US$1,774,700 Thailand’s initial report by the Committee against Torture was successfully conducted and a number of key issues were raised by Committee experts, Results including ratification of the Optional Protocol to CAT (OP-CAT). Strengthening international human rights On 28 November, the National Assembly of Viet mechanisms Nam decided to ratify CAT and the Convention on u Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Viet Nam is Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, now party to seven core international human rights Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment treaties and has one of the highest rates of treaty by Indonesia and Thailand; and of the Convention ratification in the subregion. OHCHR contributed to against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman this result through its advocacy for more ratification

OHCHR REPORT 2014 219 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: ASIA AND THE PACIFIC © OHCHR/South-East Asia An OHCHR team visits a Trang community in Thailand to discuss their human rights in relation to land and housing, November 2014.

by countries of the subregion. cycle of the UPR, scheduled to take place in In January, the Government of Myanmar informed 2015, 17 submissions came from civil society OHCHR of its intention to ratify the International organizations, including four joint submissions Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural which involved 41 organizations from Lao PDR. Rights (ICESCR), CAT and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Enhancing equality and countering the involvement of children in armed conflict discrimination (OP-CRC-AC). OHCHR contributed to the uu Legislation and policies are increasingly in enhanced awareness of government authorities compliance with international standards relating and parliamentarians on the ratification of to discrimination against women and racial and core treaties, notably through discussions with religious minorities in Myanmar (EA 4) Members of Parliament, the Ministry of Home OHCHR advocated with legislative and executive Affairs and the Myanmar National Human Rights authorities to contribute to an increased Commission (MNHRC). In particular, a treaty understanding within the Government and ratification workshop was organized, in July, with Parliament in Myanmar regarding the need to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on CAT, ICESCR adopt legislation in compliance with international and the OP-CRC-AC. standards. As part of the United Nations Country uu Increased engagement with special procedures Team, the Office supported technical analysis and by civil society actors in Brunei Darussalam, the developed advocacy strategies on four proposed Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), bills relating to religious conversion, interfaith Myanmar and Singapore (EA 7) marriage, monogamy and population. All four The Regional Office for South-East Asia held bills were made publically available at the end two training sessions on the UN human rights of the year and are expected to be tabled in mechanisms for civil society in Lao PDR, both of Parliament in 2015. which included the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a result, civil society actors Combating impunity and strengthening enhanced their knowledge of the mechanisms accountability and the rule of law and were encouraged to increase their level of uu Countries in the region abolish the death penalty engagement. For example, at the 2010 Universal or increase the compliance of relevant legislation Periodic Review (UPR) of Lao PDR, only one of and policies with international standards, the 14 submissions received from civil society particularly in relation to the reduction in the organizations came from an organization based number and scope of the crimes covered (EA 1) in Lao PDR. Yet in the preparation for the second The Office continued to document mandatory

220 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

death penalty cases in Indonesia, Malaysia, aspects of the Law. OHCHR prepared a briefing Singapore and Viet Nam. In Malaysia, in response note with recommendations which will be to the imminent execution of two individuals, the shared with the authorities in 2015 in order to Regional Office sent two letters to the Government encourage further dialogue on the matter. On 20 requesting that the executions be halted. Both July, the President signed a new Law relating to executions were temporarily halted and no the Registration of Associations/Organizations. executions took place in 2014. The Attorney Although the new Law is less problematic than General’s Chambers in Malaysia is conducting the Law on the Right to Peaceful Assembly and research on the application of the mandatory Peaceful Procession, areas of concern remain death penalty which could form the basis for the and are in need of revision. The drafting process, development of appropriate policy on this issue. which OHCHR advocated for and contributed to was acknowledged as one of the most Integrating human rights in development and in consultative processes in Myanmar’s legislative the economic sphere history. uu Human rights issues related to land and natural uu A new, independent national human rights resources, along with recommendations for institution (NHRI) is established and progressively increased compliance with international working in conformity with international standards in Southeast Asia, are raised in standards in Myanmar (EA 1) international fora (EA 10) On 28 March, the Law on the Myanmar National The Regional Office increased its capacity Human Rights Commission was adopted by the to engage on land and human rights issues, Union Parliament and signed by the President including through the preparation of a region- and on 5 April, the Law was published. The new wide publication, which will contribute to related Law provides the MNHRC with a broad mandate advocacy in 2015-2017. to undertake promotion and protection activities, uu UN entities apply a human rights-based approach although it could be improved with provisions to programmes in Myanmar (EA 11) to ensure that the selection and appointment of The United Nations Development Group Asia- commissioners is a more open and transparent Pacific agreed to postpone the next United process. OHCHR contributed to the drafting of Nations Development Assistance Framework the Law and supported efforts by civil society (UNDAF) cycle for Myanmar until 2017 and the and other partners to promote compliance with UNCT developed a Repositioning Strategy for the the Paris Principles. The Office also facilitated interim period, which was finalized in November. training on international human rights protection OHCHR advocated for the integration of human mechanisms for all new staff members of the rights in UN programmes and participated in MNHRC and engaged all staff members in its UNCT meetings, resulting in the identification of capacity-development trainings for civil society in human rights as one of the four pillars for the order to create better synergies between national Repositioning Strategy. OHCHR also chaired the stakeholders. UNCT’s Human Rights Theme Group and actively uu Human rights defenders in the subregion use participated in the Humanitarian Country Team national protection systems to initiate credible through which the Office increased the awareness State investigations and prosecutions, particularly of UNCT members on human rights principles and standards.

Widening the democratic space uu Legislation on the registration of associations and freedom of assembly and on the media, notably in relation to printing and publishing, is brought into compliance with international human rights standards in Myanmar (EA 1) Following advocacy efforts undertaken by OHCHR, the Law on the Right to Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession was amended in June. While prison sentences related to unauthorized demonstrations were reduced, concerns remain regarding the de facto © OHCHR/South-East Asia Workshop on human rights treaty bodies jointly organized by requirement to obtain permission from authorities OHCHR, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ombudsman’s for the holding of an assembly as well as other Office in Myanmar, July 2014.

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in emblematic cases or for the release of human rights defenders from custody (EA 5) Philippines: Justice in the wake of natural disaster In Viet Nam, the Regional Office collected and verified information about human rights defenders On 8 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan struck the at risk, which resulted in three communications Philippines, impacting the lives of almost 10 million that were sent by the special procedures and people. Since then, OHCHR has deployed 10 staff a press release that was issued by the Office. members to support the UN’s response. In both Malaysia and the Philippines, the The administration of justice is an issue that is often Regional Office documented cases of violence overlooked in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In against human rights defenders. The Office this regard, OHCHR and the Commission on Human issued press releases on these cases and the Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) have been working special procedures sent an urgent appeal together to highlight this important issue. For example, to the Government of Malaysia and three court buildings and places of detention were severely communications to the Government of the hit in a number of cities. Courtrooms, offices, files and Philippines. equipment were destroyed, impacting on the right to a speedy and fair trial. After the destruction of a number Early warning and protection of human rights of prisons, some inmates were moved to different jails in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity without adequate access to their families, lawyers or u UN entities in the region apply a human rights- medical care. In other instances, files were destroyed or based approach to policing and prosecution of lost and individuals who had been arrested or detained sexual violence; humanitarian operations and before the typhoon could not be properly processed. international responses to situations of violence and conflict (EA 11) In an attempt to deal with these problems, OHCHR As part of the response to Typhoon Haiyan in and the CHRP organized a round-table, at the end the Philippines, the Office advocated for the of April 2014, focusing on the administration of integration of human rights and protection issues justice. Participants included representatives of the and standards in the UN and the Government’s judiciary, the police, the Public Attorney’s Office and responses to the natural disaster, including in the Office of the Prosecutor, the Bureau of Jail and relation to housing and land rights, arbitrary Penology Management and the Warden of Leyte detention and indigenous peoples. OHCHR also province. They discussed the impact of the typhoon cooperated with the Commission on Human on the administration of justice and proposed Rights to address the loss of detainee records recommendations that would reduce the likelihood during the typhoon. The Office was a prominent of similarly devastating consequences in the future. member of the Protection Cluster and co-led the Specific recommendations were made in relation to Cluster in two locations. case backlogs, including the situation of 12 inmates, who have been held in police detention since the typhoon struck in November 2013. Regional Office for South-East Asia (Bangkok, Thailand): Expenditure in 2014 As a result of this joint effort, the legal limbo was Regular budget Extrabudgetary ended for detainees with lost or destroyed records. If expenditure expenditure the records of a detainee were not found, and no new in US$ in US$ charges were laid against that person, that person Personnel and 798,675 569,110 was released. A new regulation was also adopted that related costs provides guidelines on rewarding the good conduct Consultants - 20,136 of persons in detention during natural disasters and Official travel 14,427 58,972 calamities. Contractual services 198 18,299 General operating 64,494 23,512 expenses Supplies and 14,782 34,104 materials Seminars, grants and 3,738 53,200 contributions Subtotal 896,314 777,332 Programme support - 101,053 costs GRAND TOTAL 896,314 878,386

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Regional Office for the Pacific (Suva, Fiji) Government of Kiribati undertook a commitment to draft its report instead of hiring an external Year established 2005 consultant as previously planned. Another Staff as of 31 December 2014 7 significant development was the launch of Expenditure in 2014 US$842,924 Vanuatu’s National Implementation Plan for the implementation of the recommendations issued during the second cycle of the UPR. Results In relation to visits undertaken by special procedures mandate-holders, the Human Rights Strengthening international human rights Adviser in Papua New Guinea (PNG) worked mechanisms closely with the PNG Department of Foreign uu Increased engagement with international Affairs to facilitate the official visit of the Special human rights mechanisms, including through Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary the establishment of national coordination executions in March. The Regional Office for the bodies to support national reporting and the Pacific supported the visit in March of the Working implementation of recommendations, the use of a Group on Arbitrary Detention to New Zealand common core document approach, participation while the Working Group’s visit to Nauru was in the second cycle of the Universal Periodic postponed at the request of the Government. Review and acceptance of visit requests by special procedures mandate-holders (EA 6) Combating impunity and strengthening In relation to the establishment of national accountability and the rule of law coordination bodies, some positive developments uu Abolishment or moratorium on the death penalty were reported in the region. In Palau, a in Papua New Guinea (EA 1) Reporting Committee was established in May. On 13 November, the Human Rights Adviser The Committee is composed of Ministers and in PNG participated in a public forum on the supported by a Human Rights Working Group death penalty hosted by the Constitutional Law and other relevant stakeholders and is mandated Reform Commission. This represented the first to ensure compliance with reporting obligations. opportunity for public discussion on the issue In Vanuatu, the National Human Rights following the 2013 legal reforms. The Adviser Committee was established in June and includes distributed a briefing note on the UN’s position representatives of the Government and civil on the death penalty and subsequently submitted society organizations. The Committee is tasked a briefing note to the Constitutional Law Reform with advising the Government on the ratification Commission on the death penalty and PNG’s of treaties and the compliance and reporting relevant international human rights commitments obligations related to ratified treaties. A national and obligations. In addition, the Human Rights human rights coordination committee was Adviser worked with the Resident Coordinator on established in Kiribati which is mandated to assist the release of two media statements calling for with the mainstreaming of human rights standards the abolition of the death penalty. The statements within Government ministries. were referenced in an opinion piece of one of the At the invitation of the Pacific Islands Forum major newspapers in PNG. Secretariat (PIFS), the Regional Office for the uu Emblematic sorcery-related killings in Papua New Pacific participated in a training seminar that Guinea are thoroughly investigated and addressed was held in February for governmental human through due legal processes (EA 3) rights focal points from five Pacific countries. The National Action Plan on Sorcery Accusation- The Regional Office and UN Women delivered a Related Violence was finalized in December and joint presentation on common core documents the Department of Justice and Attorney General and as a result, participating countries began will submit the Plan to Cabinet in 2015. The drafting their common core documents, some of Human Rights Adviser in PNG contributed to which will soon be ready for submission. the Plan’s development by engaging with the Regarding the Universal Periodic Review, Committee Against Sorcery Accusation-Related OHCHR organized five consultations in Violence, which is led by the Department of Justice partnership with the PIFS and the Secretariat and Attorney General and includes representatives of the Pacific Community in Kiribati, Marshall of NGOs and academic institutions. The Human Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Rights Adviser monitored key cases of violence Nauru and Solomon Islands. The participating related to allegations of sorcery and provided governments were consequently more prepared advice to victims. Two cases were filed and are for the second cycle of the UPR. In addition, the being investigated by judicial authorities.

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Integrating human rights in development and in responses to national disasters who participated the economic sphere in initial assessments in natural disasters in uu Residents in certain informal settlements increase Tonga, in February, and in the Solomon Islands, the level and quality of their participation in in May. These missions supported national-led government decisions affecting their right to efforts, integrated a protection perspective in adequate housing in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Humanitarian Action Plans and strengthened the Vanuatu (EA 5) capacities of national authorities and civil society In PNG, the Human Rights Adviser received partners. The PHPC contributed to the adaptation representatives of settlements in Port Moresby of available tools for use at the national level and who are facing forced eviction and referred provided support to national Clusters and partners the cases, where possible, to national actors. in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The Adviser also coordinated the extension of uu Support to United Nations Country Teams for support to these communities with UN-Habitat. the development of a country-level human rights strategy in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa Widening the democratic space (EA 11) uu A Paris Principles-compliant national human OHCHR participated in the development of rights institution is established in Fiji, Nauru, the two-year extension of Papua New Guinea’s Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon United Nations Development Assistance Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu (EA 1) Framework 2015-2017, including by leading the In PNG, constitutional amendments related to Human Rights Task Team and providing technical the establishment of the National Human Rights advice on the integration of human rights in other Commission (NHRC) were submitted in October Clusters. This led to an increased integration by the Office of the State Solicitor to the National of human rights concerns and enhanced the Executive Council for endorsement. Work on understanding of members of the United Nations the draft law is underway. Throughout the year, Country Team as to how particular human rights the Human Rights Adviser advocated for the issues could be integrated into their programmes. establishment of the NHRC during bilateral and multilateral meetings with the Government, through civil society contacts and in ongoing Regional Office for the Pacific (Suva, Fiji): collaborations with the Ombudsman Commission Expenditure in 2014 of Papua New Guinea. Regular budget Extrabudgetary Vanuatu took initial steps towards the expenditure expenditure establishment of a national human rights in US$ in US$ Personnel and institution through the creation of a National - 599,324 related costs Human Rights Committee in June, to which OHCHR provided technical assistance. Consultants - 6,060 Official travel - 58,319 Early warning and protection of human rights Contractual services - 103 in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity General operating - 51,154 uu National Disaster Management Offices and/or expenses Supplies and relevant ministries, particularly in Fiji, Samoa, - 12,862 Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu and the materials Seminars, grants and Pacific Humanitarian Team, integrate human - 18,139 rights into their disaster preparedness and contributions response efforts (EA 11) Subtotal - 745,963 Programme support As co-lead of the Pacific Humanitarian Protection - 96,962 Cluster (PHPC) with UNHCR, OHCHR deployed costs a protection expert to support humanitarian GRAND TOTAL - 842,924

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Addressing violence against individuals accused of sorcery in Papua New Guinea

In February 2013, a 20-year-old woman, Kepari Leniata, was publicly tortured and murdered in a crowded market in Mount Hagen, in Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. The torture and killing occurred following accusations that the woman had killed a young boy using sorcery. The killing was widely reported by national and international media and led to a national outcry.

Since the killing, OHCHR has been closely collaborating with national actors to address violence against individuals who are accused of sorcery and witchcraft. Together with Oxfam and government actors, OHCHR provided training to local human rights defenders who are taking steps to protect individuals at risk. The Office also participated in a working group that was led by human rights treaty bodies has marginally national actors to develop a National Action Plan to improved. With the support of the United Nations combat sorcery-related violence. The Plan was finalized Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in December 2014. some progress was made by the Ministry of Although no one has been held accountable for the Foreign Affairs in its preparations for the initial killing of Kepari Leniata, an independent inquiry has report of Afghanistan to the Committee against been established to investigate the case. It is hoped Torture, due to be submitted in early 2015. that the inquiry will also encourage significant changes In January 2014, Afghanistan participated in to the way that sorcery-related violence is addressed, the Universal Periodic Review and accepted including by extending assistance to victims and their 189 of the 224 recommendations issued by families to enable them to rebuild their lives, ensuring the UPR. In light of the political instability and that perpetrators are held accountable and requiring rising insecurity, however, progress in relation that State actors act with due diligence in such cases. to the implementation of Afghanistan’s treaty obligations has been slow. UNAMA will continue to engage with the Government to push for the implementation of these recommendations in 2015.

Human Rights Components in Combating impunity and strengthening UN Peace Missions accountability and the rule of law u National police, National Directorate of Security and the Ministry of Interior Affairs observe due process and procedural guarantees for detainees United Nations Assistance Mission in and implement oversight and accountability Afghanistan procedures to prevent the use of torture in their places of detention (EA 1) During 2014, UNAMA’s monitoring activities Year established 2002 were primarily focused on the implementation Staff as of 31 December 2014 92 of Presidential Decree No. 129, issued in 2013, which ordered the National Directorate of Results Security, the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, the Ministry of Justice Strengthening international human rights and the Supreme Court to investigate allegations mechanisms of torture, prosecute alleged perpetrators and u Submission of pending periodic reports to the increase access to defence lawyers and medical Human Rights Committee, the Committee on the personnel by detainees to prevent torture and Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the ensure accountability. UNAMA findings indicate Committee on the Rights of the Child (EA 6) that despite the Decree, torture and ill-treatment The capacity of the Government to meet its State of detainees persists in some detention facilities reporting obligations under the international and few allegations of torture have been

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investigated, prosecuted or resulted in disciplinary action. Measures taken by the Government, such as the undertaking of internal investigations and the establishment of a team of human rights officers in the National Directorate of Security, have not been robust enough to prevent torture. uu Transitional justice mechanisms established and operating in accordance with international human rights standards and good practices (EA 3) Throughout 2014, UNAMA supported the Afghan People’s Dialogue on Peace initiative. The initiative promotes a rights-based approach to peace and reconciliation efforts by enabling ordinary Afghans to express their views on prospects for peace, reconciliation, security, economic development, human rights, justice and the rule of law. UNAMA played a facilitation role and supported the civil society leadership in the process. As an integral part of the initiative, 34 provincial road maps were of the Law on Elimination of Violence against completed and are now being used as advocacy Women. tools by local civil society groups. UNAMA also u Government policies and regulations related assisted with the release of a report on the second phase of the People’s Dialogue which summarizes to the protection of civilians, child protection the views of the 4,648 participating Afghan and civilian casualty mitigation are formulated women, men and youth from all 34 provinces and and implemented by all forces in line with contains a 10-point national road map for peace national, international humanitarian law and based on the outcome. international human rights standards (EA 3) According to statistics gathered by UNAMA Early warning and protection of human rights from January to November 2014, the number of in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity civilian deaths and injuries from conflict-related uu Provincial authorities, law enforcement and violence increased by 19 per cent compared prosecutors work together to support victims and to the same period in 2013. As a result of this improve investigations of cases of violence against increase, 2014 was marked as the year with women to facilitate prosecution. Indicators on more civilian casualties than any other year the elimination of violence against women are since UNAMA began compiling statistics in 2008. incorporated into the Tokyo Accountability UNAMA’s 2014 Mid-Year Protection of Civilians Framework and National Priority Programmes report received substantial press coverage and (EA 1) helped draw attention to the recommendations UNAMA monitored, reported and advocated which, if implemented, will have a positive on issues related to violence against women impact on the protection of civilians. In addition, and girls. As of November, 302 cases of alleged as a result of UNAMA’s civilian casualty tracking violence against women had been documented and its subsequent advocacy, the policy of across the country. The data documented ensured the International Security Assistance Force on the credibility and effectiveness of advocacy the clearance of explosive remnants of war efforts and technical assistance vis-à-vis State was brought in line with the requirements of authorities and was used to emphasize the international humanitarian law. importance of developing mediation guidelines. uu UN support to national institutions is in Following UNAMA’s advocacy, the Government compliance with the Human Rights Due Diligence initiated discussions on the use of mediation in Policy (EA 11) cases of violence against women. Furthermore, In January, the Minister of Interior Affairs endorsed with the technical support of UNAMA, the a Strategy for the integration of women in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs held a national police force which focused on creating a protective conference, in September, which resulted in environment for women employed in the Afghan the establishment of a drafting committee National Police. Following UNAMA’s contribution, charged with developing detailed instructions for the Strategy incorporated the provision of a conducting mediations. If implemented, these comprehensive definition of sexual harassment outputs will strengthen the operationalization and reinforced its prohibition. Moreover, in March,

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UNAMA provided technical assistance to an Republic of the Maldives interministerial commission on the drafting of an Year established 2012 action plan to implement the Strategy. Adopted - (The field presence by the Minister of Interior Affairs in August, the Staff as of 31 December 2014 closed in 2014) action plan outlines measures to improve the participation, protection and professionalization of women in the Afghan National Police. Due to UNAMA’s advocacy, the plan includes the Results establishment of an independent and effective complaints and monitoring unit to investigate Strengthening international human rights misconduct and abuse. mechanisms uu Implementation of Universal Periodic Review recommendations by the Government (EA 6) In January, the Human Rights Coordination Mechanism was established within the Attorney Human Rights Advisers to General’s Office and in July, was subsequently relocated to the newly created Ministry of Law United Nations Country Teams and Gender. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the submission of the report to the Universal Periodic Review, the Ministry of Law and Gender was mandated to lead the collection of substantive inputs through the identification Bangladesh of human rights focal points in all concerned Year established 2014 ministries. In September, the Human Rights Adviser contributed to building the capacity of Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 the staff of the Ministry of Law and Gender by facilitating a training session on the UN human rights mechanisms, including reporting modalities Results under the second cycle of the UPR. uu Enhanced systematic engagement by civil society Integrating human rights in development and in with international human rights mechanisms the economic sphere (EA 7) uu Increased use by the United Nations Country Civil society organizations and the national Teams of a human rights-based approach to human rights institution submitted a total of six programming (EA 11) stakeholder reports for the UPR’s second cycle Following the engagement with the Human Rights review of the Maldives. The Human Rights Adviser, UNDP applied a human rights-based Adviser facilitated a workshop for these actors on approach to undertake an internal review of its the UPR process, including on the preparation of projects. This approach, coupled with a gender stakeholder submissions and the implementation perspective, will also be used at the upcoming of UPR recommendations. The Adviser also United Nations Development Assistance distributed key human rights documents in the Framework evaluation. local language, including the Practical Guide for Civil Society on the UPR. Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity Combating impunity and strengthening uu Increased integration of human rights standards accountability and the rule of law and principles, including the Human Rights uu Abolition of the death penalty and/or pending Due Diligence Policy on UN support to non-UN abolition, increased compliance with relevant security forces, into the UN’s security policies and international human rights norms and standards programmes (EA 11) (EA 1) A standard operating procedure (SOP) on human In April, the President of the Maldives ratified rights was developed by the Human Rights a regulation that essentially suspends the Adviser and subsequently adopted by the United moratorium on the death penalty, including for Nations Country Team. The purpose of the SOP, minors, which has been in effect for 60 years. which includes references to the Due Diligence The Human Rights Adviser provided regular Policy, is to establish a coherent UNCT approach advice to support the advocacy of the United to human rights. Nations Country Team regarding the retention

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of the moratorium. Furthermore, in support has changed significantly since the elections in of UNICEF’s advocacy activities, the Human January 2015 with an increased interest on the Rights Adviser prepared an analytical paper redeployment of a Human Rights Adviser to reviewing the obligations of the Maldives under support the UNCT through 2015. the Convention on the Rights of the Child and highlighted the incompatibility of the regulation with those obligations.

Integrating human rights in development and in Timor-Leste the economic sphere Year established 2013 uu Increased use by the UNCTs of a human rights- Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 based approach to programming (EA 11) The Human Rights Adviser collaborated with the UNCT to support the formulation of the new United Nations Development Assistance Results Framework by training 25 UN staff, in cooperation with UNEP and UN Women, on the human Strengthening international human rights rights-based approach and its application in mechanisms development work. The Human Rights Adviser uu Increased engagement with the international also provided comments to the Common Country human rights mechanisms through the adoption Analysis for the 2016-2020 UNDAF which and partial implementation of a national human emphasizes the root causes of vulnerabilities and rights action plan; and the submission of reports indicates the added value of the response of the to the Universal Periodic Review, the Committee UN to the needs of marginalized groups. against Torture and other treaty bodies in conformity with reporting guidelines (EA 6) Preparations for a national human rights action plan progressed with the establishment in August of a National Directive Commission which was Sri Lanka tasked to draft the action plan. The Commission Year established 2004 was led by the Ministry of Justice and included representatives from five different ministries and Staff as of 31 December 2014 3 Secretariats of State, the national human rights institution, civil society, religious organizations and the private sector. The Human Rights Adviser, Results who participates in the Commission as an observer, provided technical assistance regarding Strengthening international human rights its establishment, including membership, as well mechanisms as on the functioning of the Commission. uu The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, The Government of Timor-Leste, led by the civil society organizations, human rights Ministry of Justice’s National Directorate for defenders and United Nations agencies actively Human Rights and Citizenship, used the reporting engage with special procedures and follow up guidelines to prepare its draft initial report under on recommendations issued by human rights the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, mechanisms (EA 7) Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The work to promote the increased engagement As a result of two training sessions conducted by of NGOs with the UN human rights mechanisms the Human Rights Adviser in February and March, could not be thoroughly implemented, as was the a total of 62 Ministry officials and governmental case with most of the activities planned for 2014, human rights focal points gained knowledge since the request to extend the visa of the Human about the reporting guidelines. In addition, a Rights Adviser was denied at the end of March. series of consultations took place as part of the While some inputs were received from NGOs, preparations for the report, which included the it was reported that many of those NGOs in Sri participation of over 200 government officials, Lanka, who have regularly worked with OHCHR, representatives of the NHRI and civil society were under increased surveillance and had actors. OHCHR provided technical and financial received threats in relation to their engagement support for these consultations. The Ministry of with the international community on human Justice has not shared the draft report with the rights matters. The environment in Sri Lanka Human Rights Adviser, therefore, it is not known

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if the draft is in full compliance with the reporting rights analysis, as well as recommendations guidelines. issued by the UN human rights mechanisms, in uu Increased number of substantive submissions a draft document to support the national police. to the Committee on the Elimination of UNDP also made reference to human rights and Discrimination against Women, special a human rights-based approach in a proposal for procedures and the Human Rights Council by the the creation of a governmental land valuation NHRI, civil society, individuals and UN entities and acquisition mechanism. OHCHR contributed (EA 7) to these outcomes through training and advisory Draft alternative reports were prepared by two activities. For instance, as a result of a two-day NGOs and will be submitted to the Committee training programme facilitated by the Human on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Rights Adviser in July, 36 staff members from 10 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination UN agencies in Timor-Leste gained knowledge against Women (CEDAW) in 2015. The Human about the international human rights system and Rights Adviser commented on an initial draft how to apply a human rights-based approach to of the alternative report for the CRC while programming. UN Women supported the NGO preparing the report for CEDAW. The Human Rights Adviser Widening the democratic space also facilitated a number of training sessions on uu Human rights, including women’s rights and the UN human rights system and the reporting gender equality, have been substantially integrated guidelines for representatives of civil society and into educational curriculum (EA 1) the NHRI. The Adviser also contributed to a joint Curricula, lesson plans and teaching materials on submission with ILO and IOM for the Committee social sciences for grades 1 and 2 now integrate on Migrant Workers and suggested questions for human rights concerns and approaches, including its list of issues in relation to Timor-Leste’s initial on gender, disability, respect for diversity, non- report under the International Convention on the discrimination and the protection of children and Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers encourage participatory methods of teaching. and Members of Their Families. At the request of the Ministry of Education, the Human Rights Adviser provided advice on draft Combating impunity and strengthening lesson plans and teaching materials. accountability and the rule of law uu The Provedoria (Timor-Leste’s National Human uu Human rights, including women’s rights and Rights Institution) maintains its ‘A’ status (EA 1) gender equality, have been substantially integrated The Provedoria maintained its ‘A’ status in into law enforcement and defence trainings 2014. With OHCHR support, staff members (EA 1) of the Provedoria increased their knowledge The NHRI launched a manual on human rights for of international human rights standards and police recruits and officers on Human Rights Day. enhanced their skills to conduct research on At the request of the NHRI, the Human Rights and monitoring of the human rights situation Adviser drafted two chapters on the role of police in Timor-Leste. The Human Rights Adviser and human rights and on human rights during conducted two training sessions on torture and arrest and detention. The manual was finalized on economic, social and cultural rights for 47 after two workshops, with the participation of the Provedoria staff members (22 of whom were Human Rights Adviser. During the workshops, women). Together with UNDP, the Human Rights comments were provided by national police Adviser also produced a human rights handbook trainers from the Police Training Centre as well as for the Provedoria and facilitated training sessions district commanders and other police officers. on research and data gathering methodologies as well as on the drafting of reports. Integrating human rights in development and in Moreover, the Parliament adopted a Law on the economic sphere the media which included several provisions uu A human rights-based approach is substantially that are not in line with international standards. applied by the United Nations Development The United Nations Country Team, with the Assistance Framework (EA 11) support of the Human Rights Adviser, prepared The 2015-2019 United Nations Development and submitted its suggestions on the draft and Assistance Framework, which is still awaiting contributed to the increased awareness of the approval, has a strong focus on the inclusion of Parliament and the Office of the President on vulnerable groups and the realization of their the international standards relating to freedom of rights. In addition, UNDP integrated human expression.

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Type of presence Location Asia); one stand-alone office in Kosovo; and seven

Stand-alone office OO Kosovo1 human rights advisers (Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Serbia, South Caucasus, Tajikistan, OO Central Asia (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) Regional offices Europe (Brussels, Belgium) the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and

Human rights advisers OO Republic of Moldova Ukraine – later reinforced with the deployment of in United Nations OO Russian Federation a human rights monitoring mission). Support was Country Teams OO Serbia also provided to the human rights expert in the OO South Caucasus (based in Tbilisi, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and covering Armenia, Azerbaijan and Herzegovina. Georgia) OO Tajikistan OO The former Yugoslav Republic of Following the intensification of the crisis in February Macedonia 2014, a Human Rights Mission in Ukraine was OO Ukraine (Human Rights Mission) established in mid-March. The Mission issued nine 1 Reference to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance with United Nations public reports on the human rights situation in Security Council resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo. Ukraine, with recommendations aimed at more strategic interventions on priority issues and a The region of Europe and Central Asia is comprised multi-stakeholder dialogue approach on a range of of candidate and potential candidate countries critical human rights issues. These reports served as and members of the European Union (EU), the reference sources for Member States, UN and human Organization for Security and Co-operation in rights mechanisms, civil society and the international Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the media. The Mission also provided expertise to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In 2014, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on the OHCHR supported 10 field presences in the region: development of its strategy to strengthen the capacity two regional offices (for Europe and for Central of the Government and civil society to advance

230 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA the human rights and rule of law agenda, as well Stand-alone Office as social and economic development in Ukraine. The Mission also contributed to the international community’s humanitarian response by participating in developing the UN common strategy on Ukraine and in the emergency response plan, assuming co- Kosovo5 leadership of the Protection Sector. Year established 1998 Staff as of 31 December 2014 8 OHCHR maintained a focus on the protracted conflicts in Europe. In May, the High Commissioner Expenditure in 2014 US$762,991 visited Georgia to highlight the responsibility of the de facto authorities to ensure the protection of civilians and to offer OHCHR’s assistance. The Office Results reported to the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Cyprus and provided support Enhancing equality and countering to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the discrimination situation of human rights in Belarus. uu Legislation related to combating discrimination is adopted and implemented in line with OHCHR increased its technical assistance for the international human rights standards (EA 4) integration of human rights into UN development Due to the political stalemate in 2014, the Assembly programmes, especially in preparation for the of Kosovo was unable to adopt the revised laws on implementation of United Nations Development anti-discrimination, the Ombudsperson Institution Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs) in 11 countries and gender equality. The Office substantially (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, contributed to the revisions. Serbia, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Following advocacy undertaken by the Office, Macedonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) as well as international and civil society and one territory (Kosovo). organizations, an advisory and coordination group was established within the Prime Minister’s Office OHCHR supported the efforts of Member States to address the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other stakeholders to address the situation transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. OHCHR of particularly disadvantaged groups. OHCHR participated as an observer and provided advice engaged in activities relating to the Roma in Europe, in line with international standards. including in France, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia The Office was also instrumental in supporting and Slovakia, with a view to ensuring a greater the Committee of the Assembly of Kosovo enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural tasked with the selection process for the rights. The Office also focused on the rights of new Ombudsperson. The Office advised the migrants and asylum-seekers in the EU, particularly recruitment panel on how to ensure a fair and those in irregular situations, migrants and asylum- objective interview process, monitored the seekers held in detention, and of victims of acts of interviews and assessed the procedure as fair and discrimination and xenophobia in law and practice. transparent. Due to political reasons, however, OHCHR collaborated with OSCE and in June, signed the Assembly was unable to select a new a joint declaration on the reinforcement of co- Ombudsperson. operation between OHCHR and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law During the course of 2014, the High Commissioner uu Fully functioning National Preventive Mechanism visited Sweden (April) and Georgia (May); the against torture is in place and operating in Deputy High Commissioner visited Germany accordance with the Optional Protocol to the (March), Belgium (April), the Republic of Moldova Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, (April), Bosnia and Herzegovina (August), Slovenia Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (September) and Norway (December); and the (EA 3) Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights visited Ukraine (March, May, August, September and 5 Reference to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance December), the OSCE headquarters in Vienna (May with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and and September) and the EU in Brussels (December). without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.

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Two NGOs working in northern Kosovo, namely for Communities and Returns in reviewing the Association for Peace Kosovo and Domovik, were relevant existing legal framework and preparing trained by OHCHR on the mandate and work of the IDP profiling exercise. The Working Group the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and also developed individual and household the monitoring of detention centres. A partnership questionnaires for the profiling exercise which was also established with the regional office of will begin in early 2015. the Ombudsperson Institution in Mitrovica which uu Human rights duly taken into consideration in ensured regular communication on the situation the drafting process of the new United Nations of detention facilities. Kosovo Team Common Development Plan. Human uu A transitional justice strategy that conforms to rights accountability of the United Nations Interim international human rights standards is adopted Administration Mission in Kosovo/European and implemented (EA 3) Union Rule of Law Mission is increased (EA 11) As a result of advocacy undertaken by OHCHR, The drafting process of the new Common in collaboration with UNDP and other Development Plan 2016-2020 is ongoing and international stakeholders, the Inter-ministerial applies a human rights-based approach with a Working Group on Dealing with the Past and particular focus on vulnerable groups. The Office Reconciliation (IMWG) became operational participated in all strategic preparatory meetings, at the end of October 2014. The IMWG was led the development of one of the priority areas established in 2012 and began working on the (governance and the rule of law) and contributed development of a transitional justice strategy. to ensuring the integration of a human rights- The Office provided substantive assistance for based approach in two other priority areas. The the production of awareness-raising materials Office also provided technical support for the on missing persons and on the rights to know, identification and development of relevant human justice and reparations. It also contributed to the rights indicators. development of a website that will be used by the IMWG to ensure that all stakeholders have access Widening the democratic space to relevant documentation on transitional justice uu Increased level of meaningful participation of and to promote the exchange of information, women in selected public processes, notably those best practices and lessons learned between civil related to sexual and gender-based violence (EA 5) society organizations. On 21 March, the Assembly of Kosovo amended the Law on the Status and the Rights of the Integrating human rights in development and in Martyrs to recognize survivors of conflict-related the economic sphere sexual violence as a special category of civilian uu Increased instances of formal approaches by the victims of war. The Office played a key role international community in relation to specific in advocating for the adoption of this Law by, human rights issues (EA 10) among other activities, releasing a study on The Civil Society Rule of Law Forum was this issue in 2013. The Office also distributed established in northern Kosovo in 2014. This information to the relevant Assembly Committee Forum (composed of regional and international on the international standards applicable to this organizations as well as civil society) provides issue. In implementing the Law, the President’s a space for the exchange of information and Office established the National Council for the coordination of activities to ensure synergies Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War, and prevent overlap. OHCHR supported the which OHCHR participates in as an observer. In establishment and operationalization of the addition, the Office, in collaboration with UN Forum and ensured that it addressed concrete Women, provided technical and financial support human rights concerns such as the situation in the to the National Council to assist in the drafting Mitrovica detention centre. of the by-law that will regulate the work of a In compliance with recommendations issued by commission charged with certifying survivors the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of in order for them to receive reparations. This internally displaced persons (IDPs) in 2014, IDP regulation should be finalized in 2015. profiling was initiated in Kosovo. The Office The municipality of Zvecan adopted a municipal supported the work of the IDP Inter-Agency economic development strategy that includes Working Group, which was facilitated by UNHCR the economic rights of women. The Office and and is composed of international and civil society women’s NGOs advocated for the inclusion of actors. The Working Group assisted the Ministry these rights in the strategy.

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Kosovo: Expenditure in 2014 Regular budget Extrabudgetary expenditure expenditure in US$ in US$ Personnel and - 575,227 related costs Consultants - 3,506 Official travel - 9,500 Contractual services - 7,706 General operating - 56,200 expenses Supplies and - 9,060 materials Seminars, grants and - 14,014 contributions © OSCE/Eric Gourlan Subtotal - 675,213 A group of women participate in a seminar on the prevention of Programme support domestic violence in Tajikistan, February 2014. - 87,778 costs GRAND TOTAL - 762,991 organized the consultations in Bishkek and Osh, representing an encouraging sign of increased partnership between the State and civil society.

Regional Offices Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law uu Criminal justice legislative and policy frameworks, including in relation to past human rights Regional Office for Central Asia violations, significantly improve their compliance (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) with international human rights standards in Kyrgyzstan (EA 1) Year established 2008 In 2014, the following seven laws were drafted in Staff as of 31 December 2014 4 relation to the administration of justice, namely Expenditure in 2014 US$884,351 the Criminal Code; the Code on Misdemeanours; the Criminal Procedure Code; the Criminal Executive Code; the Civil Procedure Code; and Results the laws on enforcement proceedings and State- guaranteed legal aid. Civil society representatives Strengthening international human rights provided input on the draft laws which were mechanisms submitted to Parliament at the end of December. uu Establishment and/or fully functioning OHCHR supported the overall drafting process participatory standing national coordinating with a specific focus on the Criminal Procedure bodies on reporting/replying to individual Code, which is broadly in compliance with communications and enquiries; and integrated international standards. The Code does not, follow-up to recommendations of all human rights however, address some important issues related mechanisms in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (EA 6) to equality of arms, burden of proof and the In Kyrgyzstan, the Coordination Council on exclusion of evidence obtained under torture. Human Rights has a functional secretariat with uu National Preventive Mechanisms against torture the capacity to better coordinate the holistic as provided for under the Optional Protocol to implementation of the recommendations of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, the human rights mechanisms. As a result of Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment OHCHR’s support and technical advice, the are fully functioning in Kazakhstan and Coordination Council also improved its capacity Kyrgyzstan (EA 3) to prepare for the second Universal Periodic In Kazakhstan, the newly established National Review (UPR). In addition, following advocacy Preventive Mechanism is located within the from the Office, the Government held nationwide Office of the Ombudsman. Its ability to function consultations with civil society prior to the mid- improved during the year due in part to OHCHR’s June deadline for stakeholder submissions. The capacity-building activities and advice on Coordination Council and a local NGO jointly international standards in relation to NPMs.

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During the year, all vacant positions in Through OHCHR’s capacity-building activities, Kyrgyzstan’s NPM were filled through competitive NGOs increased their understanding and recruitment processes. New staff members were awareness about monitoring and protecting both female and male and had different ethnic human rights, particularly in relation to housing, and professional backgrounds, in line with the land and property. This improved capacity Optional Protocol to the Convention against was evident during public consultations for the Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading preparation of the second UPR during which Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT) and the NGOs advocated with State authorities for a Paris Principles. OHCHR provided technical more transparent and participatory approach to and financial support to the NPM, including housing issues. Additionally, a Law on Urban information technology equipment sent to Development was amended in July, establishing regional offices. In addition, the Government that urban development plans should be made approved the Action Plan for Combating Torture public. This came about in part as a result in October. OHCHR advised on the drafting of of OHCHR’s advocacy for increasing public the Action Plan and advocated for its approval. participation and transparency in urban planning While these achievements are indicative of the processes. Government’s commitment to combating torture, uu Civil society, in particular youth and women’s the NPM is not fully exercising its mandate organizations, increasingly advocate for their in accordance with OP-CAT, primarily due to rights in Tajikistan (EA 5) budgetary restrictions. OHCHR supported civil society actors in their In Tajikistan, the pilot NPM began functioning advocacy against the adoption of amendments to under the auspices of the Ombudsman Institution. the Law on Public Associations. If amended, the It monitored six closed institutions in several Law could undermine the financial independence regions of the country and presented its first of NGOs by introducing government control over report with its findings and recommendations. foreign funding of projects. In December, a joint OHCHR contributed to this result by training NPM communication addressing this issue was sent staff on human rights monitoring and participating to the Government by the special procedures. in the coordination meetings of the pilot NPM. On 4 December, the Ministry of Justice agreed to hold a public hearing on the draft provisions. Widening the democratic space uu Legislative and policy frameworks increasingly preserve and guarantee democratic space in Regional Office for Central Asia Kyrgyzstan (EA 1) (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan): Expenditure in 2014 OHCHR provided consistent advocacy and advice Regular budget Extrabudgetary to State authorities to bring national legislation expenditure expenditure in line with international human rights standards. in US$ in US$ Personnel and As a result, the Parliament did not adopt two 488,462 138,212 related costs draft laws that would have reduced the space in which civil society actors work (one aimed at Consultants 5,460 12,878 criminalizing the dissemination of information Official travel 30,096 6,650 on same-sex relations and the other aimed at Contractual services 12,400 1,015 granting State authorities with the power to General operating 62,910 30,446 interfere in the internal affairs of national and expenses Supplies and international NGOs). Together with the United 5,472 2,582 Nations Country Team, the Office submitted materials Seminars, grants and two joint letters raising concerns on the above- 24,162 34,284 mentioned draft laws to State authorities. contributions uu Strengthened and meaningful participation of Subtotal 628,962 226,067 Programme support rights-holders, particularly minorities, in selected - 29,322 processes and particularly those related to costs housing, land and property rights in Kyrgyzstan GRAND TOTAL 628,962 255,389 (EA 5)

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Regional Office for Europe Enhancing equality and countering (Brussels, Belgium) discrimination uu Comprehensive non-discrimination directive Year established 2009 aimed at protecting individuals from Staff as of 31 December 2014 6 discrimination on the grounds of disability, age, Expenditure in 2014 US$1,594,066 religion and sexual orientation in education, health care, social protection and access to goods and services, including housing, is closer to Results adoption (EA 1) The Regional Office increased its advocacy for Strengthening international human rights the adoption of the EU “horizontal directive,” mechanisms prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of uu Increased use of United Nations human rights disability, age, religion and sexual orientation mechanisms and bodies by diverse rights-holders in areas other than employment. On several (especially Roma and migrants), national human occasions, the Office met with high-level rights institutions and civil society organizations representatives from the two EU member states acting on their behalf in at least three States in the that had been blocking the adoption of the region (EA 7) directive at the Council of the European Union in During the reporting period, diverse rights- order to explain the importance of the directive holders, national human rights institutions to closing gaps in the protection of human rights. (NHRIs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) These discussions contributed to the increased increased their awareness of and interaction with awareness by these duty-bearers of the need for UN human rights mechanisms. The Regional harmonized standards and one of the two EU Office contributed to this outcome through a member states has since dropped its objections. series of trainings, briefings and meetings with uu NHRIs and equality bodies take concrete measures rights-holders, both at the national and European to address discrimination issues; increase the Union levels. As an example, the Office delivered direct participation of rights-holders from groups two trainings to NGOs in Turkey on engagement at risk (especially Roma and migrants) and with the special procedures and provided involve civil society organizations representing capacity-building to NGOs in Brussels for the these groups in their activities in at least two States preparation of parallel reports to the Committee in the region (EA 5) on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Through a series of activities, including the (CRPD) with respect to the EU’s initial report to organization of conferences, seminars and that Committee. The Office also facilitated the other advocacy events, OHCHR contributed to submission of written information by a CSO in increasing the awareness of NHRIs and rights- relation to the CRPD’s review of Belgium. The holders on issues related to equality and non- information provided formed the basis for a discrimination. For instance, the Regional Office recommendation adopted by the Committee. participated in the launch of a pioneering project on the human rights of older persons in long- © UNRIC OHCHR participated at the UN Day in Brussels, October 2014.

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term care. The project will be implemented by the European Network of NHRIs and aims to introduce a human rights-based perspective into policies concerning older persons, particularly in institutional care – an area of social and health policy that remains largely outside the influence of the human rights community. In Turkey, the newly established NHRI increased its capacity regarding human rights, including in relation to

different areas of equality and non-discrimination. © OSCE The Office supported this result through its Former High Commissioner Navi Pillay speaking to the media after her address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, July 2014. participation at a seminar where it presented the work of the international human rights mechanisms and discussed how the NHRI could Some progress has been achieved in enhancing engage with them. Awareness of EU officials and the capacity of the Roma and Travellers to CSOs about the rights of migrants was increased participate in the design and monitoring of public due to OHCHR’s advocacy and its provision of policies. In at least four events held for CSOs, the technical assistance on the promotion of the Regional Office advocated for the human rights international human rights mechanisms and of the Roma. In addition, OHCHR organized the OHCHR tools and guidelines. second colloquium on Roma inclusion, focused on housing. The event gathered together 105 Integrating human rights in development and in participants from EU and non-EU member states the economic sphere in the region and increased the capacity of CSOs uu Increased participation of rights-holders, and and duty-bearers to design inclusive housing the CSOs which represent them, in the design policies for the Roma by sharing good practices at and monitoring of public policies in the region, the regional, national and local levels. particularly EU development policies; public policies and budget processes affecting socially excluded Early warning and protection of human rights ethnic groups (Roma and Travellers) in at least in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity three States of the region; public policies dealing uu Implementation of the EU Anti-Trafficking with the right to independent living of persons Directive, the 2012-2016 Strategy on Trafficking with disabilities and family or family-type care of in Human Beings and the 2009 Action Oriented children in at least five States of the region (EA 5) Paper, in accordance with international human In cooperation with the European Expert rights law in countries in the region (EA 1) Group on the Transition from Institutional to The European Agency for the Management of Community-based Care, the Regional Office for Operational Cooperation at the External Borders Europe contributed to three national seminars in of the Member States of the EU (Frontex) the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, which organized two trainings-of-trainers on combating gathered together national and local authorities, and preventing trafficking in human beings NHRIs and approximately 70 CSOs. As a result, for border guards in the EU member states, in rights-holders and CSOs increased their awareness collaboration with OHCHR, the Organization about their roles, rights and responsibilities in for Security and Co-operation in Europe, decision-making processes. This will in turn IOM, UNHCR and national practitioners. The enhance their capacity to participate in the design Regional Office delivered training modules and monitoring of policies. on the development of a legal framework to Progress was also achieved in enhancing the combat trafficking and on the human rights- capacity of rights-holders and CSOs to participate based approach to identifying and interviewing in the design and monitoring of EU development victims. Participants increased their awareness policies. The European Commission’s Directorate- and understanding of international and regional General for International Cooperation and human rights standards related to trafficking, Development (DG DEVCO) elaborated its first including the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive. In toolkit on the practical implementation of a addition, the Regional Office contributed to the human rights-based approach to EU development online training tool targeted towards national programmes. DG DEVCO consulted with OHCHR, trainers to increase their capacity and knowledge which provided inputs, as well as rights-holders about anti-trafficking standards, including and their representative organizations in the by highlighting international human rights preparation of the toolkit. obligations.

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Regional Office for Europe the individual communications procedures of the (Brussels, Belgium): Expenditure in 2014 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Regular budget Extrabudgetary expenditure expenditure Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the in US$ in US$ International Covenant on Economic, Social and Personnel and Cultural Rights and the International Convention 811,769 - related costs on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Consultants - 15,150 Discrimination (EA 7) Official travel 10,300 34,748 In relation to OHCHR’s work to promote the use Contractual services - 49,383 of the international human rights mechanisms by civil society actors, as of the end of 2014, General operating 81,100 201,523 expenses six cases were being finalized for their potential Supplies and submission under the Optional Protocol to the 8,700 78,745 materials Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Seminars, grants and Discrimination against Women, the International 50,000 179,918 contributions Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Subtotal 961,869 559,467 Racial Discrimination and the Optional Protocol to Programme support the International Covenant on Civil and Political - 72,731 costs Rights. OHCHR will continue working with GRAND TOTAL 961,869 632,197 various NGOs and lawyers on these cases.

Enhancing equality and countering discrimination Human Rights Advisers in United uu Regulations and official scenarios (such as Pride events or segregated school districts) brought Nations Country Teams substantially into compliance with non-/anti- discrimination international human rights standards (EA 4) On 17 May, the LGBT Equality March took Republic of Moldova place in Chisinau, organized by the NGO Year established 2008 GENDERDOC-M, with the support of OHCHR and without any legal challenge from authorities. Staff as of 31 December 2014 2 Supported by OHCHR, the Ministry of Health established an anti-discrimination panel to examine and decide on complaints of individuals Results who consider themselves to be victims of discrimination; contribute to education and Strengthening international human rights awareness-raising on discrimination in the health mechanisms field; and propose solutions for effectively uu Women and others from marginalized or addressing cases identified as discriminatory. vulnerable groups, including the Roma, persons In October, the Ministry of Health signed an order with disabilities, older women and persons from establishing an independent service to protect the Transnistrian region, make effective use of the rights of patients in psychiatric institutions © OHCHR/Republic of Moldova Activities carried out by OHCHR with a network of parents working to achieve inclusive education for children with disabilities in the Republic of Moldova.

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and budgeted the measure in accordance with article 12 of the CRPD contributed to a ground- a recommendation of the Special Rapporteur on breaking decision handed down by the Cahul extreme poverty and human rights. Court. In the case, a woman with intellectual OHCHR also supported Moldova’s Council disabilities won a legal battle protecting her right on Preventing and Combating Discrimination to make her own life decisions through supported and Ensuring Equality in providing advice decision-making instead of being subjected to to the Parliament for the amendment of hate guardianship. This was the first case in which a crime provisions of the Criminal Code and the court declared incapacitation to be illegal in light Contraventional Code, which was subsequently of national legislation and called for alternatives amended. of support instead of guardianship. The practice OHCHR contributed to the creation of a network was subsequently extended to other cases in of parents working to achieve inclusive education Cahul, as well as to other jurisdictions, including for their children with disabilities. The Office held Chisinau. a series of meetings to help formulate advocacy messages and also supported the engagement of parents with relevant authorities on individual cases. As a result of these actions, 22 children were enrolled in mainstream kindergartens and Russian Federation schools. Year established 2008, following the adoption of cooperation Combating impunity and strengthening framework in August accountability and the rule of law 2007 uu Increased number of remedy decisions and Staff as of 31 December 2014 6 decisions in discrimination cases in compliance with international law (EA 1) Moldova’s Council on Preventing and Combating Results Discrimination and Ensuring Equality issued 74 decisions from September 2013 to December Strengthening international human rights 2014. OHCHR provided extensive support to the mechanisms Council, including methodological guidance in a uu Increased implementation of recommendations number of cases. issued by treaty bodies, special procedures and OHCHR continued its efforts to train judges the Human Rights Council relating to human and prosecutors on various elements of anti- rights institutions, judicial reform, human rights discrimination law within the framework of training for law enforcement officials, the rights of the National Institute of Justice. For instance, children and the rights of women (EA 6) in August, the Ministry of Justice issued a In November, OHCHR facilitated a human rights manual, produced by OHCHR, as part of the orientation programme in Geneva for 12 civil support materials used to train judges in anti- servants from key ministries. The programme discrimination law. These efforts contributed to provided participants with comprehensive some improvements related to jurisprudence, knowledge of the UN human rights mechanisms including a decision handed down by the and aimed at improving their skills in reporting Supreme Court on 10 December to return to the and implementation of the recommendations appeals court a request to recognize multiple issued by the mechanisms. ethnicities which was previously denied by lower OHCHR advocated for the adoption of legislation courts. in accordance with recommendations issued The Constitutional Court handed down a by the Committee on the Elimination of significant decision on 13 November to uphold Discrimination against Women. A draft law on the right to effective access to justice for domestic violence was prepared with inputs from individuals deprived of their legal capacity on the OHCHR. basis of psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. The Constitutional Court ruled that such a Enhancing equality and countering prohibition discriminates against people with discrimination mental disabilities by failing to ensure respect for uu The national human rights institutions’ anti- their rights guaranteed under the Convention on discrimination programmes significantly improve the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. OHCHR compliance with international human rights submitted an amicus curiae brief in the case. standards (EA 4) OHCHR’s capacity-building efforts in relation to The Ombudsman of the Russian Federation

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and regional commissioners for human rights Widening the democratic space maintained their ‘A’ status and remained u A multidisciplinary Human Rights Programme important players in the Russian human rights was integrated into formal higher education and protection system. OHCHR contributed to the institutionalized in several regions (EA 1) increased capacity of regional ombudspersons to With OHCHR support, five universities from handle discrimination cases in conformity with Moscow, Perm and Kazan integrated the Human international human rights standards. OHCHR also Rights Master Programme into their curricula. conducted workshops, which were attended by Negotiations for the inclusion of the Master commissioners from fifty regions, on the role of Programme are underway with four other national human rights institutions in advancing universities from Voronezh and Yekaterinburg the rights of indigenous peoples, the Paris regions. The core courses include lectures on principles and promoting equality and combating the UN human rights system, the treaty bodies, discrimination. international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict and post-conflict situations and the European system of human rights protection.

International Forum of Muslim Women held for the first time in Russia

regions of the Russian Federation, including combating domestic violence, strengthening the role of women in society and protecting their rights. They also exchanged information about a number of good practices in place across the region to promote and protect human rights at the regional level. One of these was the Human Rights Strategy of the Republic of Tatarstan for 2014-2018, which makes specific reference to recommendations issued by international and regional human © OHCHR/Ruissian Federation rights mechanisms. Participants of the International Forum of Muslim Women: Human Rights in Today’s World supported by OHCHR. At the end of the Forum, In 2014, the International Forum OHCHR, and brought together close participants outlined a series of Muslim Women: Human to 100 government representatives, of recommendations, including Rights in Today’s World was held Russian Human Rights establishing a regional mechanism, for the first time in the Russian Commissioners, representatives of to promote the participation of Federation, in the city of Kazan. international organizations and civil women in public life; undertaking Kazan is the capital of the Republic society. a gender analysis of existing legal of Tatarstan, a region which is provisions; creating a permanent home to the majority of Russia’s The participants discussed a wide mechanism to promote and protect Muslim population. The Forum range of issues related to the women’s rights; and ensuring that was organized by the Tatarstan enjoyment of women’s rights in the the rights of women with disabilities Ombudsperson, with the support of Republic of Tatarstan and other are recognized and upheld.

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Serbia South Caucasus (based in Tbilisi, Year established Office in 1996 covering Armenia, Azerbaijan and and Human Rights Georgia) Adviser in 2007 Year established 2007 Staff as of 31 December 2014 1 Staff as of 31 December 2014 4

Results Results

Strengthening international human rights Strengthening international human rights mechanisms mechanisms uu Fully functioning participatory standing national uu Fully functioning participatory standing coordinating body is in place to report on/reply to national coordinating bodies are in place for individual communications and enquiries; and reporting/replying to individual communications integrated follow-up to recommendations of all and enquiries; and integrated follow-up human rights mechanisms (EA 6) to recommendations of all human rights On 10 December 2014, the Office for Human mechanisms in Armenia, Azerbaijan and and Minority Rights of the Government of Georgia (EA 6) the Republic of Serbia launched a national In Georgia, OHCHR assisted the Government mechanism for monitoring the implementation of in the implementation of the National Human the recommendations issued by UN human rights Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) and advised mechanisms and a mechanism for monitoring on initiating a process to follow up on the implementation of the Action Plan related to recommendations issued by the human rights the Strategy for the prevention of and protection mechanisms, which involved establishing against discrimination (2014-2018). The Human thematic groups with the participation of the Rights Adviser contributed to the establishment national human rights institution and NGOs. of the former mechanism by providing technical In addition, OHCHR advised the secretariat assistance for the clustering of recommendations of the NHRAP on the creation of a system and the identification of the institutions for integrated reporting to human rights responsible for their implementation. mechanisms. uu International human rights standards and Integrating human rights in development and in recommendations of international human the economic sphere rights mechanisms are partially integrated into uu The United Nations Development Assistance UN common country programmes in Armenia, Framework and half of UN programmes and Azerbaijan and Georgia (EA 11) projects fully conform to the human rights-based Due to OHCHR’s awareness-raising activities, approach and incorporate recommendations from United Nations Country Teams in Armenia, human rights mechanisms (EA 11) Azerbaijan and Georgia increased their awareness The draft Common Country Assessment (CCA) about the UN human rights mechanisms and integrates human rights elements, including the began to include some of their recommendations views of UN human rights mechanisms issued into their programmes. In Armenia, UNFPA and in relation to Serbia. The Human Rights Adviser UNICEF are using many of the recommendations and UNDP co-chaired the Human Rights Theme issued by the Committee on the Rights of the Group of the United Nations Country Team, Child and the Human Rights Committee in their drafted the human rights analysis for the CCA and programmes. Following the December 2013 visit provided inputs to the CCA. of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women to Azerbaijan, UNFPA integrated her recommendations into its activities. In Georgia, UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, UN Women and OHCHR assisted the Government in the development of the NHRAP, which is partly based on the recommendations of international and regional human rights mechanisms.

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The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Year established 2007 Staff as of 31 December 2014 1

Results

Strengthening international human rights mechanisms uu A government coordination body for integrated reporting and/or implementation of outstanding recommendations is functioning in line with effective, transparent and participatory operating modalities (EA 6) The Inter-Sectorial Body on Human Rights © OHCHR/South Caucasus Human Rights Day event in Tbilisi, Georgia, jointly organized by (ISBHR) was not fully functional between the Human Rights Ombudsman, OHCHR, UNDP and the EU, March and December due to the parliamentary December 2014. elections that were held in April. This led to the delayed appointment of new State Combating impunity and strengthening Secretaries, all of whom are ex officio ISBHR accountability and the rule of law members. Its secretariat, however, remained uu Institutions in the justice sector show significant active and collaborated with a wider group of improvement in their compliance with State and government actors and civil society international human rights standards (EA 1) to outline a plan for the implementation of the The Georgian Bar Association now recognizes a recommendations issued during the second training provided by OHCHR as one of the courses Universal Periodic Review and a proposal for that can be counted as credit for the continuing strengthening the ISBHR’s capacity. OHCHR education that is required of the members of contributed technical guidance for the the Association. OHCHR also organized training implementation of these key activities. seminars on international legal standards for various uu An increased number of diverse national legal professionals, including judges at the High civil society organizations participate in School of Justice. In addition, the Office worked State reporting and the implementation of to have the OHCHR Training Series Manuals recommendations and makes submissions to the included in the training curricula of the High School UN human rights mechanisms (EA 7) of Justice and the Georgian Bar Association and The Human Rights Adviser provided provided advice to these institutions on the overall information and detailed guidance to civil upgrading of their curricula. society organizations, independent journalist associations, trade unions and the Ombudsman’s Widening the democratic space Office on how to engage in light of the second uu Training programmes on human rights UPR in January 2014 and the adoption of the institutionalized in Armenia, Azerbaijan and list of issues by the Human Rights Committee Georgia (EA 1) on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Human Rights Centre of the Free University Several civil society organizations and the of Tbilisi (Georgia) offers courses on human Ombudsman’s Office made submissions, rights for law students, conducts a specialized many of which were taken on board by the Summer School on the UN human rights Committee. In addition, women’s organizations mechanisms and holds a number of events used the recommendations from the second focused on the international human rights system. UPR to advocate with the Government for In 2014, OHCHR co-organized the Summer School the implementation of the recommendations with the Human Rights Centre, advised on the issued by the Committee on the Elimination of Centre’s activities and plans and contributed Discrimination against Women in 2013. publications used in the Centre’s activities.

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Ukraine6 elaboration of the strategy to create a permanent mechanism for integrated reporting and Year established 2011 (HRA); Human Rights Mission in 2014 implementing of the recommendations issued by UN human rights mechanisms. In its meetings Staff as of 31 December 2014 10 with State officials, OHCHR, through its Human Rights Mission in Ukraine (HRMU), repeatedly advocated for the elaboration of a national human Results rights strategy and a human rights action plan. uu At least three UN agencies regularly apply UN Strengthening international human rights guidelines on incorporating a rights-based mechanisms approach to programming (EA 11) uu A permanent interministerial coordination On 1 September, the United Nations Country mechanism for integrated reporting and Team drafted a document, United Nations Strategy implementation of recommendations issued by for Ukraine. The document articulates a collective treaty bodies, special procedures and the Human vision for UN partners in Ukraine that is founded Rights Council is in place and functioning (EA 6) on a human rights-based approach and was In the presidential decree of 14 October, the advocated by the HRMU during a UN workshop Cabinet of Ministers was tasked with elaborating in June. During the workshop, the HRMU briefed a human rights strategy by 1 January 2015. the UNCT about the Human Rights Up Front The Ministry of Justice, which is the government Action Plan. The Strategy identified four thematic focal agency for the preparation of the draft priorities (improving the administration of justice; strategy, established a working group for the equality and non-discrimination; economic and development of the strategy in late November. social rights; and fundamental freedoms) for It remains unclear, however, if the functions the effective engagement of the UN in Ukraine of this working group will go beyond the which are drawn from an OHCHR compilation of clustered recommendations issued by the UN 6 As of mid-March 2014, a UN Human Rights Mission in Ukraine human rights mechanisms. In November and (HRMU) has been deployed, reinforcing the existing Human December, steps were taken to integrate these Rights Adviser based with the UN Country Team. priorities into the programmes of UN agencies © OHCHR/Ukraine An OHCHR staff member during a monitoring mission to the Donetsk region, Ukraine.

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in 2015 and beyond in order to guide the anti-discrimination norms and standards was humanitarian response to the crisis in the East; the organized with UNDP for Members of the recovery, stabilization and rehabilitation efforts; Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, State and the support for governance reforms. ministries, the Ombudsperson’s Office and NGOs. In addition, as part of the humanitarian response to the crisis in the East, the HRMU co-chaired Combating impunity and strengthening the Protection Cluster with UNHCR and focused accountability and the rule of law its work on the protection of civilians, non- uu Torture prevention and accountability discriminatory access to services and durable mechanisms are in place and functioning (EA 3) solutions. The HRMU ensured that the initiatives Prior to the establishment of the HRMU, the developed by the humanitarian community Human Rights Adviser was in regular contact with took human rights aspects into account and the Ombudsperson’s Office in relation to human functioned in accordance with international rights violations, including cases of torture, human rights norms and standards. This enabled arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances the humanitarian community to identify the most and summary executions, which had allegedly acute vulnerabilities and determine the nature and occurred during the Maidan demonstrations scope of the interventions that are required to in January and February 2014. These ongoing address violations or situations of inequality. discussions helped the Ombudsperson’s Office to focus on its role in the prevention of torture as Enhancing equality and countering the National Preventive Mechanism, in accordance discrimination with the Optional Protocol to the Convention uu Anti-discrimination legislation is in line with against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or international standards (EA 4) Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Following On 13 May, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted the establishment of the HRMU in mid-March, amendments to the 2012 Law on preventing cooperation with the Ombudsperson’s Office was and countering discrimination, bringing intensified in the context of the outbreak of the it in closer compliance with international conflict in the East and the launch of a security standards. More specifically, the amendments operation in mid-April. Dozens of people were brought the definitions of direct and indirect arrested in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, discrimination in line with Ukraine’s obligations many of whom were subsequently transferred under the International Covenant on Civil and to pre-trial detention facilities or penitentiary Political Rights and outlined criminal, civil and institutions. Lists of arrested persons that were administrative liability in cases of discrimination. obtained by the HRMU were provided to the The amended Law, however, did not reflect the NPM. The NPM verified their whereabouts relevant jurisprudence of the UN Human Rights and conducted ad hoc visits to detainees, Committee or the European Court of Human resulting in the identification of the location Rights on the prevention of discrimination on of several individuals who were considered to the basis of sexual orientation. The HRMU be unaccounted for. Due to the extraordinary contributed to this improvement in compliance circumstances that led to the establishment of the by co-organizing a round-table discussion with HRMU and a redefinition of OHCHR’s priorities the Ombudsperson’s Office. The round-table in Ukraine, it was not possible to conduct involved representatives of different ministries activities to enhance the awareness of the police, and NGOs, highlighted shortcomings in the prosecutors and the judiciary about international existing anti-discrimination Law and called for its standards applicable to the administration of alignment with international norms and standards. justice in the context of persons deprived of their In addition, a training workshop on international liberty.

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Type of presence Location The further deterioration of the situations in Iraq, Libya

Country offices OO Mauritania and the Syrian Arab Republic was at the forefront of OO State of Palestine1 OHCHR’s concerns, as was the escalation in hostilities OO Tunisia in Gaza during the summer of 2014. In response to OO Yemen these situations, the High Commissioner acted through Regional offices and OO Middle East (Beirut, Lebanon) public and private advocacy, including numerous press centres OO North Africa (operates on a temporary releases and statements, public reports and briefings basis from Beirut, Lebanon) to the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly OO United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South- and the Security Council. In particular, the High West Asia and the Arab Region (Doha, Commissioner advocated for the protection of civilians Qatar) and called for an end to violence and the accountability Human rights OO Iraq (UNAMI) of perpetrators of violations of international human components in UN OO Libya (UNSMIL) Peace Missions rights law and international humanitarian law.

1 Reference to Palestine should be understood in compliance with United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19. OHCHR supported the establishment of three commissions of inquiry and investigative missions In 2014, OHCHR undertook proactive efforts to mandated by the Human Rights Council (on Iraq, the support the promotion and protection of human rights State of Palestine and the Syrian Arab Republic) and in the Middle East and North Africa region which extended support to the Special Rapporteur on the continued to be marked by developments resulting situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories from the popular uprisings of 2011. In Tunisia, peaceful occupied since 1967 and to the Special Committee legislative elections were held on 26 October 2014 and to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human a new Constitution was adopted on 26 January 2014. Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of Some countries saw positive and constructive reforms the Occupied Territories. The Office also worked on to advance human rights and the rule of law, others the follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding witnessed heightened violence, insecurity, armed on technical cooperation between OHCHR and the conflict and serious human rights violations. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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OHCHR maintained eight field presences in the uu Increased number of submissions by civil society region: three regional offices/centres (for the Middle organizations and national human rights East, North Africa and the United Nations Human institutions to the Committee on the Elimination of Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South- Discrimination against Women, the Committee on West Asia and the Arab Region in Doha); four country the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the offices (Mauritania, the State of Palestine, Tunisia and Rights of Migrant Workers Yemen); and two human rights components within Following capacity-building processes that were UN peace missions (Iraq and Libya). supported by the Office, a number of NGOs submitted a joint report to the CEDAW Committee In 2014, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human in June. Rights visited Iraq (October). uu UPR recommendations (2nd cycle) are part of United Nations Country Team joint planning and United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2012-2016 implementation (EA 11) Country Offices The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) agreed to integrate the UPR recommendations into the ongoing United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2012-2016 midterm review and planning for 2015. In September, the Office Mauritania briefed the UNCT on the UPR recommendations regarding Mauritania and the steps it had Year established 2010 taken with the Government to promote their Staff as of 31 December 2014 9 implementation. Expenditure in 2014 US$1,263,971 Enhancing equality and countering discrimination Results uu Adoption of general anti-discrimination legislation and increased compliance of legislative Strengthening international human rights and policy initiatives with the rights of women, mechanisms migrants and persons with HIV/AIDS and persons uu Increased number of ratifications and withdrawal with disabilities. Adoption of a road map on of reservations to international human rights the implementation of the recommendations of treaties (EA 2) the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms Following consistent advocacy with the Human of slavery, a National Action Plan against Rights and Humanitarian Assistance Office and Discrimination and a National Action Plan for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government Migration (EA 4) replaced its general reservation to the Convention Following the adoption of the road map on the fight on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against the vestiges of slavery on 6 March by the against Women (CEDAW) with a specific Council of Ministers, the interministerial committee reservation to articles 13 and 16. and the monitoring committee, on which OHCHR uu Establishment of interministerial participatory serves as observer, developed a work plan for the standing national coordinating bodies on implementation of the road map. Since that time, reporting/replying to individual communications the committees have held monthly meetings to and enquiries; and integrated follow-up monitor progress towards the implementation of to recommendations of all human rights planned activities. The finalization of the National mechanisms (EA 6) Action Plan against Racial Discrimination was In April, the Human Rights Commissioner issued delayed and the Office had to postpone a number a decree on the establishment of a technical of planned activities in this context. In August, committee for the development of State Party however, OHCHR organized a seminar on the reports which will be Chaired by the Office of the National Action Plan against Racial Discrimination Prime Minister. OHCHR has observer status and, on in cooperation with the Human Rights and that basis, regularly provides technical assistance Humanitarian Assistance Office. and support to the members of the committee. With the support of OHCHR, the committee Combating impunity and strengthening developed its work plan for drafting three periodic accountability and the rule of law reports and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) uu The Penal Code is revised regarding alternative report, which will be submitted in 2015. punishment; a penitentiary policy is developed;

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and prison authorities increasingly apply international standards on combating torture (EA 1) In June, OHCHR and the Ministry of Justice organized a seminar on the drafting of legislation to prevent and criminalize torture. The seminar was attended by prison officials, members of police and gendarmerie, judges, lawyers, civil society and officials from relevant ministries. Participants discussed the content of a draft law, which will be finalized for review and adoption by the Parliament in 2015. uu A National Preventive Mechanism against torture is established and functioning in compliance with

the Optional Protocol to the Convention against © OHCHR/Mauritania Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Meeting between civil society organizations and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery in Mauritania, Treatment or Punishment (EA 3) February 2014. In August, the Human Rights Commissioner announced the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). A working group Parliament. The Ministry has yet to share the draft developed the draft legislation on the NPM, which text with civil society. is in full compliance with the guidelines provided by the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture Early warning and protection of human rights and is currently awaiting approval from the Prime in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity Minister for transmittal to the Parliament for final uu Human rights protection concerns are integrated adoption. The Office participated in the working into operational humanitarian plans, including a group as an observer and provided comments on disaster preparedness plan (EA 11) the different versions of the draft law. The Office, as coordinator of the Protection Cluster, actively participated in the development Integrating human rights in development and in of the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2014 and the economic sphere its midterm review and promoted the integration uu National Action Plan on social cohesion is of human rights in the analysis. The Overview adopted; access to land is regulated in conformity also included recommendations from the UPR with international standards; and standards for and references to other international human rights private business, in particular fishing and mining, commitments and obligations by Mauritania. include the prohibition of slavery and child labour (EA 1) The National Strategy on Social Cohesion was Mauritania: Expenditure in 2014 finalized and is ready for validation. While the Regular budget Extrabudgetary Strategy contains references to human rights in expenditure expenditure one chapter, the Human Rights and Humanitarian in US$ in US$ Personnel and Assistance Office, as the responsible government - 609,968 related costs entity, agreed to reinforce the integration of human rights throughout the document, with the Consultants - 60,267 support of OHCHR, prior to its validation. The Official travel - 49,389 Office provided a technical and advocacy note to Contractual services - 24,370 competent authorities on how to integrate human General operating - 122,397 rights in the draft national strategy. expenses Supplies and - 80,130 Widening the democratic space materials Seminars, grants and uu Adoption of a Law on Civilian Associations, in - 172,038 consultation with civil society organizations and contributions in compliance with international human rights Subtotal - 1,118,559 Programme support standards (EA 1) - 145,413 The draft law on civilian associations is currently costs being reviewed by the Ministry of Communication GRAND TOTAL - 1,263,971 and of Relations with Civil Society and the

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State of Palestine7 facilities run by the abovementioned actors and those run by the police. Concerns were similar to Year established 1996 those noted in previous years, including arbitrary Staff as of 31 December 2014 22 detention and torture and ill-treatment. OHCHR has Expenditure in 2014 US$3,629,547 improved its relations with relevant actors and is engaged in ongoing dialogue with the authorities on various human rights issues. Results Integrating human rights in development and in Strengthening international human rights the economic sphere mechanisms uu The NHRI and relevant NGOs/civil society uu Accession to the International Covenant on organizations monitor the implementation of the Civil and Political Rights and the International Palestinian National Development Plan (EA 5) Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights The Palestinian National Development Plan, (EA 2) which integrates a human rights-based approach, The State of Palestine became a party to the was launched in January. The Office subsequently International Covenant on Civil and Political held a series of consultations on a rights-based Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant monitoring of the Development Plan with the on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Planning, the on 2 July 2014. In addition, it acceded to the Independent Commission for Human Rights and International Convention on the Elimination of All civil society organizations. While the formation of Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), CEDAW, a Government of National Consensus gave rise to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, hope that the Plan would be widely implemented Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment throughout the country, its implementation was (CAT), the Convention on the Rights of the limited due to the escalation of violence in Gaza Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Rights from June to August. of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 2 May and to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Early warning and protection of human rights on the Rights of the Child on the involvement in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity of children in armed conflict (CRC-OP-AC) uu Increased compliance with international human on 7 May. All accessions were made without rights standards by legislation, decrees and reservations. A subsequent legislative review took administrative instructions relating to sexual place to identify laws that require amendment or and gender-based violence and so-called honour replacement in order to conform with Palestine’s crimes (EA 1) treaty obligations. Since the accession, OHCHR has In May, the President of the State of Palestine responded to a request from the Ministry of Foreign issued a Decree Law amending Article 98 of the Affairs for technical assistance by implementing Penal Code to ensure that perpetrators of so-called an ambitious programme of training and capacity- honour crimes will not benefit from an extenuating building to support Palestinian efforts to implement, circumstances defence. The Decree Law mirrors monitor and report to the treaty bodies. one of the recommendations included in a study, commissioned by OHCHR, on responses of the Combating impunity and strengthening judiciary to the murder of women under the accountability and the rule of law pretext of so-called honour in Palestine. The uu Increased compliance with international human study analyzed a sample of 37 related rulings rights standards in relation to detention practices handed down by the Courts of First Instance and detention conditions (EA 1) in the West Bank and Gaza between 1993 and OHCHR built on its achievement in 2013 of securing 2013. It concluded that the Penal Code’s broad unannounced visits to Palestinian Preventive provision of mitigating circumstances frequently Security detention facilities and, in 2014, secured led to an extension of impunity for these crimes. unannounced access to facilities run by the General The study was published and distributed to judges, Intelligence Service. OHCHR’s achievement in this prosecutors, civil society organizations and UN regard led to the granting of unannounced access agencies. OHCHR monitored cases of so-called for other organizations, such as the ICRC and the honour killings and raised awareness about the National Independent Commission for Human issue during workshops on women’s rights that Rights. OHCHR carried out visits to detention were held in Gaza, Hebron, Jenin, Jerusalem and Nablus for women’s rights organizations and 7 Reference to Palestine should be understood in compliance with female lawyers. United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19.

OHCHR REPORT 2014 247 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA © UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan

A Palestinian man rescues items from the rubble of his home destroyed during the escalation of the conflict in northern Gaza Strip, August 2014. uu Increased responsiveness of the international public statements by the High Commissioner community to issues of impunity by both Israeli and other UN officials. OHCHR also ensured that and Palestinian duty-bearers (EA 10) needs assessments and the two Flash Appeals OHCHR continued its programme of documenting (August and September) integrated a strong focus human rights violations and abuses across on accountability and respect for international law Palestine in the face of a significant deterioration and clearly identified and prioritized the needs of the human rights situation in 2014 due to the of children, women, persons with disabilities, the escalating conflict in Gaza. OHCHR monitored elderly and displaced persons. OHCHR provided and reported on the situation, ensuring that guidance on international human rights law and the international community was aware of humanitarian law to the humanitarian community, the violations as they occurred. Despite very including through its coordination of the challenging conditions, OHCHR and its partners Protection Cluster’s Legal Advice Group (LAG). in the Protection Cluster were able to provide The legal analysis informed policy discussions by daily preliminary figures of civilian casualties the Humanitarian Country Team and humanitarian during the conflict. These figures fed into daily donors and guided humanitarian advocacy, all of UN reports on the situation in Gaza and provided which maintained a focus on accountability for the international community and the media with violations of international law. an up-to-date assessment of the civilian impact of the conflict. OHCHR’s regular reports formed the basis for the discussions in the Human Rights State of Palestine: Expenditure in 2014 Council and the General Assembly on the issue. Regular budget Extrabudgetary uu Enhanced implementation of a human rights- expenditure expenditure based approach by United Nations programmes, in US$ in US$ Personnel and especially within humanitarian strategies, - 2,495,013 related costs planning and responses (EA 11) Through its leadership role in the Protection Consultants - 49,300 Cluster, OHCHR ensured a strong focus on Official travel - 74,116 protection and respect for international human Contractual services - 153,368 rights law and international humanitarian law General operating - 233,743 in all aspects of humanitarian engagement in expenses Supplies and Palestine, including responses, planning and - 96,373 advocacy. OHCHR enhanced the mainstreaming materials Seminars, grants and of protection in the analysis and responses of - 110,077 other Clusters. During the escalation of the contributions hostilities in Gaza, the statistics collected by the Subtotal - 3,211,989 Programme support Protection Cluster and the analysis undertaken - 417,559 by OHCHR were used by the humanitarian costs community in daily situation reports and informed GRAND TOTAL - 3,629,547

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Tunisia Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Year established 2011 Optional Protocol, both of which were ratified Staff as of 31 December 2014 16 by Tunisia in 2008. In total, 186 of 217 members Expenditure in 2014 US$1,820,375 of the new Assembly of the Representatives of the People have signed the National Charter. In addition, the statutes of the new Assembly Results include the creation of a commission to coordinate its activities with organizations Strengthening international human rights working with persons with disabilities. mechanisms A draft law to combat violence against women uu Reservations to at least one treaty (the Convention was developed and presented to the Ministerial on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Council for adoption. OHCHR provided technical against Women, the Convention on the Rights of and financial support to the national committee in the Child or its optional protocols) are withdrawn charge of drafting the law. (EA 2) All four reservations to CEDAW were officially Combating impunity and strengthening withdrawn in April. Since 2012, OHCHR has accountability and the rule of law consistently advocated for the withdrawal of the uu Legislation regarding deprivation of liberty, reservations, including by organizing a briefing including pre-trial detention, is revised to for Members of Parliament with the participation reduce prison crowding; security sector reform of the Vice-Chairperson of the CEDAW Committee leads to the adoption of policies, guidelines and in April. codes of conduct for law enforcement officials uu Submission of pending periodic reports to the in conformity with international human rights Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural standards (EA 1) Rights and the Committee against Torture (EA 6) A working group was established in March State Party reports were submitted to the in the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Committee against Torture and the Committee Transitional Justice and Directorate General for on Enforced Disappearances and the State Prisons and Rehabilitation in order to implement Party report for the Committee on Economic, the recommendations outlined in OHCHR’s Social and Cultural Rights is in the final stage report on the situation of prisons (Prisons in of drafting. The midterm UPR report was also Tunisia: International Standards versus Reality). submitted. OHCHR facilitated training courses for In addition, the Office cooperated with the State authorities and provided technical advice National School for Prisons and Rehabilitation regarding all of these reports. to implement a training programme on human rights for 375 prison and rehabilitation officials. Enhancing equality and countering The Office also cooperated with the Ministry of discrimination the Interior for the implementation of a training uu Legislation and policies in compliance with programme on human rights that targeted international human rights standards are adopted approximately 1,600 law enforcement personnel. in the areas of equality of women and other uu A justice reform process establishes guarantees for persons at risk; migrants; and access to education the independence, impartiality and effectiveness of and employment for persons with disabilities the judiciary (EA 1) (EA 4) Following the 2013 consultations on the justice The National Charter for the Rights of Persons sector, a strategic vision was launched in April. with Disabilities, drafted by OHCHR in OHCHR cooperated with UNDP and other coordination with a coalition of NGOs, was partners to develop a justice sector reform work adopted in October and signed by Heads of plan. political parties and presidential candidates. uu A coherent transitional justice process is The Charter represents a covenant between underway; a fully functional Truth and Dignity persons with disabilities, the political parties and Commission is in place, has duly addressed the the candidates for the legislative and presidential rights and participation of discriminated groups elections in order to protect the rights of persons and has generated structural reform proposals with disabilities and ensure the enjoyment (EA 3) of and respect for fundamental freedoms Following the adoption of legislation on after the elections. It is also a commitment to the establishment of the Truth and Dignity the provisions of Article 48 of the Tunisian Commission in December 2013 and the

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the Penal Code and raises the awareness of lawyers as well as journalists about claiming their rights. One of the key findings of the study demonstrates the increased use of the Decree in 2014 and notes that the vast majority of recent cases before the courts have been decided in favour of journalists. uu Oversight and accountability in the media sector lie with the High Independent Audiovisual Regulatory Authority (EA 1) The new Tunisian Constitution, promulgated in January 2014, includes a number of articles on the creation of national independent institutions, such as the 2013 High Independent Authority for Audiovisual Communication, all of which © OHCHR/Tunisia seek to contribute to the development of a A canvas painted by Tunisians to show their commitment to peace and human rights. comprehensive human rights protection system in Tunisia. OHCHR engaged with members of the National Constituent Assembly and civil society, finalization of the selection process of its as well as with the UNCT to advocate for the members in early 2014, the Commission was creation of the institutions. formally launched in June and began its uu Tunisian National Human Rights Institution substantive work in December. Additionally, the established and functioning in accordance with Law on the Specialized Judicial Chambers was the Paris Principles (EA 1) approved in July. OHCHR provided technical Article 128 of the Tunisian Constitution, advice on the draft text. guarantees the establishment of a national independent human rights commission. The draft Integrating human rights in development and in law establishing the Human Rights Commission the economic sphere in compliance with the Paris Principles was uu The United Nations Development Assistance developed with OHCHR inputs and approved by Framework 2015-2019 integrates a human rights- the Council of Ministers in November. It has been based approach (EA 11) submitted to the Parliament for adoption. Human rights were fully integrated into all three main priorities of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2015-2019, Tunisia: Expenditure in 2014 which was signed by the Government and the Regular budget Extrabudgetary United Nations Country Team on 21 March. expenditure expenditure OHCHR participated in the development of the in US$ in US$ Personnel and UNDAF and co-led the UNCT Thematic Group on - 967,462 Democratic Governance. related costs Consultants - 73,006 Widening the democratic space Official travel - 94,909 uu The Constitution and other policies that may Contractual services - 110,159 constrain freedom of expression are brought into General operating - 97,019 compliance with international human rights expenses standards (EA 1) Supplies and - 42,866 A study on the penal provisions of Decree materials No. 2011-115, relating to the prosecution of Seminars, grants and - 225,531 journalists and its implementation by the Tunisian contributions judicial authorities, was produced by the Office Subtotal - 1,610,951 and subsequently shared with journalists, Programme support - 209,424 prosecutors, judges and the Ministry of Justice. costs The study advocates for the exclusive use by GRAND TOTAL - 1,820,375 magistrates of Decree No. 2011-115 rather than

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National Charter for the Rights of Persons with Yemen Disabilities in Tunisia Year established 2012

On 15 October 2014, a coalition of NGOs working Staff as of 31 December 2014 11 on the rights of persons with disabilities in Tunisia Expenditure in 2014 US$2,077,844 adopted a National Charter for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Charter represents a covenant between persons with disabilities, political parties and Results candidates for legislative and presidential elections to ensure that the fundamental rights and freedoms of Enhancing equality and countering persons with disabilities are respected, protected and discrimination u enjoyed. It is also a commitment to uphold Article Civil society creates and supports mechanisms 48 of the Tunisian Constitution and the provisions to counter discrimination against women, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of marginalized groups, minorities, persons with Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, disabilities and migrants (EA 5) ratified by Tunisia in 2008. In 2014, the National Human Rights Strategy was drafted in compliance with the Outcomes of The Charter was submitted to the political parties the National Dialogue Conference and Yemen’s running in the legislative elections of October 2014 international human rights commitments, and to the candidates running for the presidential including the UPR recommendations it had elections in November 2014. Beji Caid Essebsi, the accepted. OHCHR cooperated with UNDP to newly-elected President of the Tunisian Republic, provide technical assistance to the Ministry of signed the Charter on 18 November 2014. In Human Rights in the development of the draft addition, an overwhelming majority of the members by facilitating the organization of participatory of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People consultations in the Governorates of Aden, signed the Charter and committed to promote, protect Al-Janad, Azal, Hadramout, Tehama and Saba, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of the to reach out to local authorities and civil society human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons actors representing marginalized groups. with disabilities; promote respect for their dignity; guarantee individual autonomy, including the freedom Combating impunity and strengthening to make one’s own choices; ensure full and effective accountability and the rule of law participation and inclusion in society; promote the u Constitution and legislative framework is aligned non-discrimination principle by prohibiting all forms of with international human rights standards (EA 1) discrimination based on disability; and support equality At the end of 2014, a Bill of Rights for Civil of opportunities and accessibility. Society Organizations was launched and endorsed The adoption and signature of the Charter marks an by 650 organizations. OHCHR and other UN historical moment for the children, young persons, agencies facilitated the process and provided women and men with disabilities in Tunisia. OHCHR’s technical advice and capacity-building support to contribution, made primarily through the United civil society organizations from across the country. Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons The Bill of Rights will be used by civil society with Disabilities, was crucial to the country taking organizations as an advocacy tool to influence the these important steps. Constitution drafting process. Draft pieces of legislation on the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) and anti-trafficking were submitted to the Parliament for adoption at the end of 2014. OHCHR raised its concerns about their compliance with international standards and facilitated the provision of inputs from civil society. In addition, through a workshop co-organized by OHCHR, IOM and UNHCR for relevant parliamentarians, the Members of Parliament agreed to revise the anti-trafficking draft to incorporate the recommendations from UN agencies. Although the drafting process suffered some delays due to the escalation of the conflict in the country, the Constitution Drafting

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Committee finalized the first draft at the end of propose responsive actions. 2014, with the support of OHCHR and other As a result of OHCHR’s inputs, the integration UN partners. The Office provided the Drafting of human rights and gender mainstreaming was Committee with extensive inputs and background improved. information, including on international human rights standards, treaty body recommendations Widening the democratic space and general comments and best practices from uu NHRI is established and functioning substantially other countries. OHCHR also advocated for the in conformity with the Paris Principles (EA 1) inclusion of provisions on traditionally sensitive Due to the political instability in Yemen, the issues such as the right to life and the rights of draft law establishing the NHRI was not adopted. women and of minorities. The first draft included It is presently under review by the Parliament. a provision establishing guarantees regarding the OHCHR provided technical assistance during right to life and another on a quota for women’s the drafting of the law, advocated for the public participation. establishment of the NHRI in compliance with the uu Establishment and/or improved functioning in Paris Principles and conducted a capacity-building compliance with human rights standards of workshop on the roles and mandate of the NHRI victim-centred transitional justice mechanisms, for representatives of the State, parliamentarians including the Commission of Inquiry, Truth and and a wide group of civil society organizations. Reconciliation, Land and Dismissals Commissions uu Civil society, especially those representing youth (EA 3) and women, substantially increases its advocacy The Commission to Consider and Address against human rights violations (EA 5) Land Issues and the Commission on Forcibly Throughout the year, OHCHR observed an Dismissed Employees were established in January increased number of reports, with improved 2013. In 2014, the Land Commission finalized quality, prepared by civil society organizations in approximately 30,000 cases while the Commission relation to human rights violations, especially from on Forcibly Dismissed Employees finalized conflict-affected areas. OHCHR built the capacity approximately 20,000 cases related to reparations. of over 60 civil society representatives (including At the end of 2013, the President issued a over 20 women) in relation to human rights decree to establish a Special Compensation investigations, interviewing techniques and data Fund to compensate those whose land had been analysis, and regarding international human rights confiscated and for dismissed employees who standards in the area of discrimination. In addition, were entitled to compensation. In July 2014, the the Office developed an information system to Compensation Fund paid approximately US$500 map human rights civil society organizations active to 5,500 dismissed individuals. In November, in Yemen. This will help improve the existing the Prime Minister’s Cabinet adopted the network of organizations and strengthen human recommendations made by the Land Commission. rights monitoring across the country. OHCHR and UNDP provided technical support to both commissions, including to help build Early warning and protection of human rights the capacity of its members on effective case in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity management. uu Systems and procedures put in place by OHCHR contribute to protection from human rights Integrating human rights in development and in violations (EA 3) the economic sphere In 2014, the Office’s human rights monitoring uu Increased integration of human rights standards and reporting provided crucial evidence for and principles, including the Human Rights Due the High Commissioner’s public statements on Diligence Policy, into the UN common country serious human rights violations in Yemen and for programming (EA 11) the advocacy messages delivered by the Office The United Nations Country Team finalized the of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General Peace Building Priority Plan for Yemen, with on Yemen. OHCHR enhanced its monitoring human rights mainstreamed throughout the Plan. capacities by deploying field monitors to conflict- OHCHR provided substantive inputs and drafted affected areas and by providing them, and relevant outcomes and indicators for the rule of local NGOs, with training on monitoring and law and transitional justice components of the reporting of human rights violations. The Office Plan. The UNCT also developed the Millennium also promoted the creation of a network with Development Goals (MDGs) Acceleration key Yemeni authorities and other stakeholders to Framework to enable Yemen to identify enable greater cooperation in the investigation of challenges in achieving its MDG targets and human rights violations.

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uu Increased integration of human rights standards Regional Offices and Centres and principles, including the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, into the UN support to non- UN security forces and security programmes with the Yemeni security forces (EA 11) Regional Office for the Middle East OHCHR introduced the Human Rights Due (Beirut, Lebanon) Diligence Policy to the Ministry of the Interior and at the end of 2014, the Minister informed Year established 2002 the Office that the Policy had been disseminated Staff as of 31 December 2014 10 throughout the Ministry. OHCHR had planned to Expenditure in 2014 US$1,385,201 implement a project to contribute to the security sector reforms through policy development and human rights capacity-building programmes, however, due to conflicts in Yemen in September, Results the project suffered some delays. By the end of the year, some preliminary interventions had Strengthening international human rights taken place. mechanisms uu Increased compliance and engagement of Member States with international human rights Yemen: Expenditure in 2014 mechanisms, including through the establishment Regular budget Extrabudgetary of participatory standing national coordinating expenditure expenditure in US$ in US$ bodies on reporting/replying to individual Personnel and communications and enquiries; and integrated - 1,310,842 related costs follow-up to recommendations of all human rights Consultants - 23,357 mechanisms (EA 6) Official travel - 95,529 OHCHR engaged with State representatives and parliamentarians from countries in the region Contractual services - 13,200 to encourage their increased engagement and General operating - 163,365 expenses compliance with international human rights mechanisms. In Lebanon, the Regional Office Supplies and - 76,609 materials encouraged the establishment of a participatory Seminars, grants and process between the Government and civil society - 155,898 contributions organizations for the preparation of reports to the Subtotal - 1,838,800 Committee against Torture, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and Programme support - 239,044 costs the Committee on the Rights of the Child. GRAND TOTAL - 2,077,844 uu Increased number of submissions to treaty bodies, special procedures and the UPR from civil society actors (EA 7) Several training programmes were organized for civil society members in Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon to encourage their engagement with the human rights mechanisms. OHCHR provided technical support to a coalition of civil society organizations in Kuwait, which submitted a report to the UPR.

Enhancing equality and countering discrimination uu Legislation, policies and practices increasingly comply with antidiscrimination and equality standards in relation to the rights of women and of migrants (EA 4) In Lebanon, legislation was adopted on domestic violence. Despite some shortcomings, the legislation represents a decisive step forward and has already led to the arrest of perpetrators

OHCHR REPORT 2014 253 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA © UNHCR/J. Kohler Fleeing the violence in Syria, hundreds of refugees stream across the border into Jordan.

and has improved protection of women and and Crime, the Resident Coordinator’s Office and children. The Regional Office engaged with law the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon enforcement officers to ensure the dissemination (UNIFIL), with the aim of initiating drafting of the of the Law and worked on updating the training risk assessment for Lebanon. More specifically, curricula at the police academy to reflect this new some progress was achieved on the integration of development. human rights standards into UNIFIL’s protection strategy, following the facilitation of a number Widening the democratic space of capacity-building events by OHCHR and the uu Establishment or strengthening of national undertaking of outreach efforts with UNDP. human rights institutions that are compliant with international standards (Paris Principles), including in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Regional Office for the Middle East Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (EA 1) (Beirut, Lebanon): Expenditure in 2014 In Kuwait, the Parliament is examining two draft Regular budget Extrabudgetary laws on the establishment of a NHRI, which were expenditure expenditure revised by OHCHR to ensure their compliance in US$ in US$ Personnel and with the Paris Principles. - 885,516 related costs Early warning and protection of human rights Consultants - - in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity Official travel - 70,727 uu A human rights-based approach increasingly Contractual services - 17,900 integrated into support to non-UN security forces, General operating - 174,744 and UN security policies and programmes in expenses Supplies and compliance with the Human Rights Due Diligence - 19,255 Policy (EA 11) materials Seminars, grants and Several meetings on the Human Rights Due - 57,700 Diligence Policy were held with representatives contributions from the Office of the United Nations Special Subtotal - 1,225,842 Programme support Coordinator for Lebanon, the United Nations - 159,359 Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in costs the Near East, the United Nations Office on Drugs GRAND TOTAL - 1,385,201

254 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

OHCHR work on Syria

In 2014, the human rights OHCHR carried out its work despite East facilitated two workshops, in situation in the Syrian Arab operational challenges, notably Turkey and Lebanon, on monitoring Republic continued to deteriorate the lack of access to Syria and the and documentation for Syrian as the conflict entered its fourth absence of a UN human rights human rights defenders. In addition, year. During this time, all parties presence on the ground. Obtaining four key Syrian organizations to the conflict committed violations access to Syria remains a priority participated in a workshop on the of international human rights and for the Office, especially in light of documentation of casualties during humanitarian law. To contribute Human Rights Council resolutions armed conflict, which was organized to the international community’s S-18/1 (2011) and 19/22 (2012), by OHCHR, in Geneva, in February response to this situation, which called upon the Syrian 2014. OHCHR engaged in human rights authorities to fully cooperate with monitoring, reporting and advocacy OHCHR, including by allowing for OHCHR provided ongoing in relation to the Syrian crisis; the establishment of a field presence substantive and administrative provided capacity-development for in the Syrian Arab Republic. support to the Independent Syrian human rights defenders; and Commission of Inquiry mandated supported protection activities for In October 2014, OHCHR deployed by the Human Rights Council to refugees fleeing Syria through the a Human Rights Officer, based in investigate all alleged violations of United Nations Voluntary Fund for Beirut, to support the United Nations international human rights law that Victims of Torture. In addition, the Country Team and the Humanitarian have occurred in the Syrian Arab High Commissioner consistently Country Team in Syria. He engaged Republic since March 2011. The advocated for the inclusion in the humanitarian planning cycle Commission has issued regular of human rights in relevant in Syria and ensured that protection reports and in 2014, OHCHR discussions and actions through monitoring was included in the published three thematic papers press releases and statements, Strategic Response Plan for 2015. on sieges, torture and ill-treatment, public reports and briefings made OHCHR also carried out a number of the human rights situation in to the Human Rights Council, the workshops and trainings for Syrian Aleppo Central Prison and a second General Assembly and the Security human rights defenders. In 2014, statistical report on casualties Council. the Regional Office for the Middle related to the conflict.

Regional Office for North Africa Challenges and Future Perspectives. OHCHR (temporarily based in Beirut) and the League of Arab States organized the Conference in Egypt, in May, and it was Year established 2012 attended by representatives of governments, Staff as of 31 December 2014 4 national human rights institutions and civil society organizations. Expenditure in 2014 US$833,918 Widening the democratic space u National human rights institutions established Results and/or working in increased compliance with international standards (Paris Principles) in Strengthening international human rights Algeria, Egypt and Morocco (EA 1) mechanisms Little progress was achieved in Egypt, where one u Increased ratification of international human mission was conducted by staff members of the rights treaties (EA 2) Regional Office, due to limited interaction with The Office advocated at the regional level national counterparts. In Morocco, several staff for the ratification of human rights treaties, members of the NHRI benefited from two training including during the Regional Conference on sessions that were facilitated by the Office on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, human rights indicators and on a human rights- entitled Human Rights in the Arab Region: based approach.

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Regional Office for North Africa were also organized in Qatar, in May, in close (Beirut, Lebanon): Expenditure in 2014 cooperation with the Qatar National Human Rights Committee, and in Oman, in September, Regular budget Extrabudgetary expenditure expenditure in cooperation with the Oman National Human in US$ in US$ Rights Commission. Personnel and - 273,074 related costs Widening the democratic space Consultants - 28,045 uu National human rights institutions function Official travel - 205,339 in accordance with international standards Contractual services - 55,700 regarding their interaction with UN human rights mechanisms and civil society (EA 1) General operating - 59,250 expenses The Centre conducted two training sessions Supplies and for NHRIs in Qatar and in Oman in order to - 21,605 materials increase their understanding of the human rights Seminars, grants and mechanisms and promote their engagement with - 94,968 contributions the UPR. Further activities to strengthen NHRIs in Subtotal - 737,981 the region are planned for 2015 in cooperation Programme support with the Qatar National Human Rights Committee. - 95,938 costs uu Teachers and educators integrate human rights GRAND TOTAL - 833,918 values and concepts into their educational curricula (EA 1) In August, a workshop on Quality Assurance of Human Rights Education Programmes was United Nations Human Rights Training organized by OHCHR, in Cairo, which included and Documentation Centre for the participation of curriculum designers and Heads of teachers’ training units from 12 countries South-West Asia and the Arab Region across the Middle East and North Africa. In (Doha, Qatar) Jordan, the Office organized a workshop, entitled Developing educational materials to promote Year established 2009 human rights in elementary and secondary Staff as of 31 December 2014 5 schools, which included 18 representatives of Expenditure in 2014 US$1,993,599 different ministries and civil society organizations from the region. The objective of the workshop was to identify best practices and the needs Results for developing human rights education programmes in the region. At the end of the Strengthening international human rights workshop, the participants identified a group of mechanisms recommendations to enhance the promotion of uu Establishment of participatory standing national human rights education in the region. coordinating bodies on reporting/replying to uu Civil society, youth and journalists increasingly individual communications and enquiries; and advocate for and claim their rights (EA 5) integrated follow-up to recommendations of all The Centre implemented the first phase of a human rights mechanisms (EA 6) training-of-trainers programme on economic, OHCHR worked to enhance the capacity of social and cultural rights and focused State authorities in the region to engage with the on providing participants with a better UN human rights mechanisms. In August, the understanding of these rights and various Centre and the Arab Organization for Human monitoring approaches. The training, carried out Rights co-organized a regional workshop on best in December, was attended by 15 participants practices in following up on the implementation (including six women) from 11 countries across of UPR recommendations. In total, 25 participants the Middle East and North Africa region. More from nine countries in the region attended than 30 journalists from the region were trained the workshop. In addition, a five-day training on a human rights-based approach at two events workshop on the human rights mechanisms that were jointly organized by OHCHR, UNESCO, was organized in February, in Saudi Arabia, and the Human Rights Department at Al-Jazeera, the was attended by approximately 140 participants Doha Centre for Media Freedom and the Alshrouq (including 40 women) from governmental Center for Democracy and Media in Morocco. institutions. Training sessions on the UPR process After the training, the participants expressed

256 OHCHR REPORT 2014 OHCHR IN THE FIELD: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA © OHCHR/Doha Training Centre Training © OHCHR/Doha Participants at a workshop on human rights and media organized by the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre in Morocco, May 2014.

their intention to develop a regional network for Regional Forum and documents and publications journalists interested in promoting human rights. related to human rights education.

Early warning and protection of human rights United Nations Training and Documentation in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity Centre for South-West Asia and uu States adopt policies to ensure protection of the the Arab Region right to education in situations of conflict (EA 1) (Doha, Qatar): Expenditure in 2014 In January, OHCHR and Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC) co-organized the Regular budget Extrabudgetary expenditure expenditure Regional Forum on the Protection of the Right to in US$ in US$ Education during Insecurity and Armed Conflict Personnel and 398,155 608,870 in the Middle East and the North Africa Region related costs in Jordan. The main objective of the forum was Consultants - 88,776 to highlight education-related violations in areas Official travel 14,500 192,514 affected by insecurity and armed conflict in Contractual services 94,160 34,065 the region, raise the awareness of participants General operating about these violations and develop strategies 6,000 80,161 expenses to protect the right to education during conflict Supplies and 14,000 13,900 and insecurity. The Forum was attended by materials 104 participants from 24 countries (19 from the Seminars, grants and 311,940 3,700 region), including policymakers, legal advisors contributions and practitioners, academics and representatives Subtotal 838,755 1,021,985 of civil society, NGOs, national human rights Programme support - 132,858 commissions and UN agencies. Furthermore, in costs December, OHCHR and PEIC launched a website GRAND TOTAL 838,755 1,154,844 (www.protecteducationmena.org), which contains information about the Doha Centre and PEIC, the

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Human Rights Components in UN Peace Missions

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq

Year established 2004 Staff as of 31 December 2014 42

Results © UNAMI Strengthening international human rights Faculty members of the Kufa University of Iraq participate in a workshop on human rights conducted by OHCHR, March 2014. mechanisms uu Increased engagement with international human rights mechanisms through the submission During 2014, the HRO was a member of of overdue reports to treaty bodies and the the United Nations Development Assistance acceptance of country visits by special procedures Framework Development Committee and (EA 6) offered technical assistance to ensure that all Iraq issued a standing invitation to special aspects of the UNDAF process, including the procedures mandate-holders to visit Iraq. No visits outcome document, integrate a human rights took place in 2014. perspective. The process was concluded in May and the outcome document was signed by the Combating impunity and strengthening Government. accountability and the rule of law uu Implementation of a grassroots-driven transitional Widening the democratic space justice policy aimed at ending impunity and uu The Independent High Commission is fully promoting community reconciliation (EA 3) functioning in accordance with the Paris In 2014, the Human Rights Office (HRO) of Principles (EA 1) the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq The Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (UNAMI) began implementing a project to (IHCHR) was formally established in April 2012. conduct a countrywide consultation process on Since then, the HRO has worked, in partnership community reconciliation in order to create an with the United Nations Office for Project Services environment that is conducive to sustainable to build the capacity of Commissioners and their peace. The project aimed to gather grassroots staff to ensure they implement the mandate of perspectives on ways to attain justice for past the IHCHR in accordance with Law 54 of 2008 human rights violations and promote community and the Constitution of Iraq and in conformity reconciliation. The initial phase of the project with international standards. The Commission involved the training of 26 members of Iraqi began its monitoring work, is receiving individual NGOs and civil society, drawn from Iraq’s central complaints regarding human rights violations and southern governorates and with various and is developing thematic human rights educational and cultural backgrounds, on the priorities. The Commission has, however, not principles of community reconciliation and yet elected a President as required by Law 54. conducting interviews. Further implementation of On 11 January, the Iraqi High Judicial Council the project was disrupted due to the escalation of issued an administrative order establishing an the armed conflict which caused the large scale office within the General Prosecutor’s Office that displacement of civilians from northern Iraq. is mandated to investigate complaints of alleged human rights violations received from the IHCHR. Integrating human rights in development and in The order also instructed the General Prosecutor’s the economic sphere Office to keep the Commission updated on any uu UNCT programmes and policies, especially poverty developments related to these investigations to reduction programmes, have a strong human ensure proper follow-up. rights focus and improve access to basic services (EA 11)

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United Nations Support Mission in Libya with imprisonment any person found to be undermining the so-called 17 February Revolution, Year established 2011 publicly insulting legislative, executive or judicial Staff as of 31 December 2014 21 authorities or disgracing the national flag. At the same time, it passed a decree authorizing relevant ministries to discontinue and prevent the Results broadcasting of satellite channels that are deemed hostile to the 17 February Revolution or which Enhancing equality and countering allegedly undermine the security and stability of discrimination the country. The HRD expressed its concern that uu The legislative and policy framework incorporate such broad language could be used to arbitrarily international standards against discrimination, curtail freedom of expression and opinion. especially in relation to minorities, migrants and As a result of the political situation in Libya, the women (EA 4) HRD was unable to assist State authorities on In 2014, little progress was made on national legislative issues after June. legislation to combat discrimination, especially uu Detention centres are fully under the control of against minorities, migrants and women. Some State-trained judicial police officers and have good principles, however, are reflected in the improved security and effective safeguards against draft sections of the new Constitution, which were torture (EA 1) released in late December. As part of its broader The HRD assisted the judicial police in work with the Constitution Drafting Assembly, conducting a census of detainees. As a result of the Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Rule the exercise, authorities had the first snapshot of of Law Division (HRD) of the United Nations data on detainees, including their names, ages, Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) will aim to gender, charges and legal status, since the 2011 strengthen the protection elements in the draft conflict. The census also facilitated the follow-up constitutional text. on specific cases. Nevertheless, the outbreak of violence in mid-2014 presented further security Combating impunity and strengthening challenges for the judicial police. Progress in accountability and the rule of law the judicial screening of the detainees and the uu Constitution, penal code, code of criminal release of those who will not be prosecuted procedure and legislation on torture increase has consequently been minimal. Amidst the their compliance with international human rights heightened violence and resulting political standards (EA 1) vacuum, the HRD is concerned that those held Elections for the Constitution Drafting Assembly in detention are at increased risk of abuse, took place on 20 February. Although the particularly after the receipt of several reports of members of the Assembly publically committed torture and other forms of ill-treatment. to completing a draft constitution by the end uu An increasingly functioning judiciary applies due of December, they were only able to release process standards in a safer environment (EA 1) drafts of the sections prepared by the eight The deteriorating security environment has specialized committees. The Assembly includes impacted heavily on the judiciary, further one committee to address human rights and undermining the effective administration of justice fundamental freedoms in the draft and another and the process of reform. Prosecutors and judges to focus on the judiciary and the constitutional have been frequently subjected to intimidation court. The Chair of the Assembly’s human rights and attacks, while law enforcement officials and committee requested technical support from the judicial police do not have the sufficient the HRD and a workshop for members of the capacity or resources to ensure the security of the committee will take place in early 2015. judiciary or to undertake effective investigations. The Libyan Penal Code and the Code of Criminal The courts effectively stopped functioning in Procedure include provisions that are not in line Benghazi, Derna and Sirte as of March and in with international human rights standards. Since Tripoli during the fighting in July and August. 2013, the HRD has worked with UNDP, UNODC, uu Transitional mechanisms are in place and the Ministry of Justice, the High Judicial Institute, functioning in compliance with human rights academics and civil society to support a review of standards, namely a transitional justice law, the Codes that will ensure their compliance with an active and impartial truth commission and international standards. Regrettably, in February, missing persons commission, a reparations the General National Congress of Libya amended programme and vetting processes. A number of the Code of Criminal Procedure to punish fair trials of former regime members and brigade

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perpetrators have been carried out (EA 3) increasing attack since the outbreak of violence No progress was achieved in the implementation in mid-2014. The HRD has received reports of of Law No. 1 of 2014 on the Care for Martyrs and civil society activists being threatened, abducted, Missing Persons of the 17 February Revolution. unlawfully killed, or having had their homes While the Law provides for the establishment of looted or burned down. As a result, numerous a General Commission for tracing and identifying human rights defenders have curtailed their missing persons and the extension of benefits activism, gone into hiding or left the country. to the families of those killed or missing in the Before and after the outbreak of violence, the context of the revolution, the Commission has not HRD was in regular contact with human rights been created. defenders, including those who relocated out of In March, the General National Congress formed the country, and sought to support them through a four-person committee to establish a roster the provision of technical advice, the facilitation of candidates for the Board of the Fact-Finding of contact with local non-governmental providers and Reconciliation Commission. On 1 April, the of aid and through ongoing monitoring of and Committee issued a public advertisement for public reporting on their situation. candidates but, due to the political volatility and the announcement of elections, the Committee Early warning and protection of human rights did not complete its work and the Board was not in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity appointed. The HRD advised the General National uu Consistent reference to the human rights Congress on international standards and best situation and recommendations in statements practices relating to criteria for selection of the by the international community and increased Board. responsiveness to meet emerging human rights In February, the Council of Ministers issued Decree needs (EA 10) No. 119 which provided for the establishment of a The HRD regularly monitored and investigated specialized committee to identify victims of sexual alleged human rights violations which took place violence under the former regime and during the in Libya, including in the wake of the worsening 2011 armed conflict. The Committee will make violence in mid-2014. This included extensive recommendations on reparations and provide work on the protection of civilians; issues related legal aid for victims seeking accountability. In to summary executions, abductions, torture and March, the Minister of Justice passed a decree to other ill-treatment; internally displaced persons; appoint members of the specialized committee migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers; and and subsequently appointed the Head of a violations against women, children and minority compensation fund. The fund was operational by communities. UNSMIL and OHCHR issued the end of the year. statements and reports based on information gathered during missions to Libya; visits to Widening the democratic space detention centres; interviews with those displaced uu Diverse networks of civil society organizations by the conflict; information provided by human actively advocate for human rights and participate rights defenders and victims’ families; and data in public life (EA 5) from the UNCT. These concerns were included in Although a number of civil society organizations the briefings of the Special Representative of the have highlighted concerns about human rights Secretary-General for Libya and other members of violations in Libya, they have been under the international community.

260 OHCHR REPORT 2014